Stated Meeting, April 12, 2012

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, April 12, 2012 10:20 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN W. WILSON GOODE, JR. COUNCILMAN BILL GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN JAMES KENNEY COUNCILMAN DENNIS O'BRIEN COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN B. TASCO MICHAEL A. DECKER,

Good morning, everyone. (Good morning.)

We have a quorum. Council will start. I'm going to ask all the visitors and guests to please go behind the rail so we can get started. Thank you so much. I ask the members to take their seat. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes the Reverend Peter Hwang, Bishop of First Korean Baptist Church of Philadelphia. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Oh. I would ask all members and visitors to please rise. (Members and guests rise.)

Dear God, in light of the recent tragedy our city had endured, with the loss of the two brave firefighters, Lieutenant Robert Neary and Firefighter Daniel Sweeney, killed in the fire, I open up this prayer by pleading for your mercy and comfort for their families who are suffering and mourning at this time. We know that our words can only do so much, and so we pray that you'll be God of a provision in their time of need. Now, we have gathered here this morning to also pray for your wisdom and guidance as our City Council has come to meet and discuss how they can address the needs of our city, as well as make the necessary changes to better the communities here in Philadelphia. Lord, grant them your strength that they may make decisions that will help stimulate growth in our economy and create jobs and opportunities for the many who have been unemployed and in financial need. Grant them vision to see how the building of our educational programs will raise up our children to be the new generation of movers and shakers in our society, that through their education, inspired to dream bigger and greater dreams. Oh Lord, we pray that through the leadership of our Council, our city will experience a greater decline in crimes and that your spirit of reconciliation will be granted to our city and on the diverse cultural communities represented here. May we long to celebrate our diversity and not be ashamed of it. Finally, Lord, we pray that our Council will honor you in their dedicated service to our city. May we ask your people remember to cover our City leaders in our prayers by interceding on their behalf. We pray to you for the leadership that is represented here, and we give you all honor, glory and praise. In the name of Jesus, we pray. All the God's people say amen. (Amen.)

you, Reverend, for those inspiring words. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)

Thank you so much. Before our next order of business, I would ask for us to have a moment of silence for our two fallen firefighters. I'd ask the members and guests to please stand. We'll have a moment of silence. (Moment of silence.)

Thank you so much. Our next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of March, 29th, 2012. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 29th, 2012 be approved. (Duly seconded.)

It's been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, March 29th stand approved. All in favor? (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. The Journal is approved. The next order of business is the request for leaves of absence. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones.

Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the majority, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.

Thank you, Councilman. The Chair now recognizes Councilman O'Neill on behalf of the

Mr. President, on behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.

Thank you so much. Right now we'll dispense with the regular order of business. I would just like to welcome everybody here and thank you so much for taking time out of your day and coming to see us in action. We hope you walk away saying that your tax dollars are well spent. So thank you again for coming here, and we look forward to you coming again. At this time, the Chair would like to recognize Councilman Oh, who will present a resolution recognizing Anne O'Callaghan on her retirement as the Founder and Executive Director of the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians. Would Ms. O'Callaghan and those accompanying her please join the I see we also have Councilman Kenney joining Councilman Oh. (Members and guests approached podium.)

Thank you so much, Council President. I would simply note that both Councilman Kenney and myself serve on the Board of the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians, and that is an organization founded by Anne O'Callaghan.

Thank you. You're doing a great job.

Recognizing Anne O'Callaghan on her retirement as the Founder and Executive Director of the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians. Whereas, Anne O'Callaghan, a naturalized U.S. citizen, was born in Ireland and emigrated to America in 1970; and Whereas, Anne O'Callaghan has been a prominent advocate for immigrants region for nearly 40 years; Whereas, Anne O'Callaghan received her training and certification at the University of Dublin (Trinity College) School of Medicine and the Oswestry and North Staffordshire School of Physiotherapy; and Whereas, Anne O'Callaghan was a physical therapy practitioner for twenty years and an instructor at the University of Pennsylvania; and Whereas, Anne O'Callaghan later founded a software development company serving the home healthcare industry; and Whereas, by 1999, the Philadelphia area was home to a large Irish immigrant population, some of whom needed community assistance in finding work, housing, education, food, and even how to travel back to Ireland if a loved one had died; and Whereas, Anne O'Callaghan was well known in Philadelphia's Irish as a thoughtful person with good reasoning skills and the power of persuasion to find appropriate help; and Whereas, Anne O'Callaghan was asked by community leaders to provide informal assistance at an immigration center being opened in Upper Darby to assist this community; and Whereas, Anne O'Callaghan then volunteered her time and lent her skills to assist immigrants of all backgrounds in obtaining the vital information they needed to establish their new American lives; and

Whereas, to support this work, Anne O'Callaghan began to use her fundraising and development skills to raise awareness and support among the local philanthropic community for this work; and Whereas, in the course of her volunteer work, she identified a need for the region to have a centralized for immigrants, and invested her own personal resources in the research necessary to design such a center, including traveling to New York, Boston and other cities that provided services for immigrants; and Whereas, in 2003, Anne O'Callaghan brought together her knowledge and experience to found the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians, to meet immigrants' employment needs and to serve to connect newly arrived individuals from around the world with all manner of economic opportunities through programs such as job skills and language training, job placement, legal services, support for small and startup businesses, and resource referrals; Whereas, under the leadership of Anne O'Callaghan, the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians grew from one volunteer to a 22-person staff with an annual budget of 1.5 million that has served more than 8,000 immigrants from 140 countries, including placing more than 1,400 work-authorized immigrants in a wide range of positions at 170 area companies; Whereas, in 2006, Anne O'Callaghan was recognized for her contributions to the immigrant community by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services with their Outstanding American by Choice Award; and Whereas, in 2010, Anne O'Callaghan was presented with the inaugural Matthew Carey Hibernian Award by the Irish Immigration Center in recognition of her continued service to the Irish community and support of the immigrant community; Whereas, in 2011, Anne O'Callaghan was recognized as a Purpose Prize Fellow for her achievements with the Welcoming Center; Whereas, Anne O'Callaghan has continued to dedicate significant personal, professional, financial and the mission and the work of the Welcoming Center; Whereas, in addition to her work with immigrants, Anne is active in the Alliance for the Mentally Ill, the Visiting Nurses Association of Greater Philadelphia, and the Southwest Community Enrichment Center; now, therefore, be it Resolved, that the Council of the City of Philadelphia, hereby recognizes Anne O'Callaghan on her retirement as the Founder and Executive Director of the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Anne as evidence of the respect and admiration of this legislative body for her dedication to Philadelphia's newcomers and helping make Philadelphia a more attractive and welcoming city. And may I say personally, I admire and respect Anne. She represents for, and that's the opportunity to come from somewhere else and to have a great life and impact others in a great way here in this country. So with that, I'd like to say congratulations on your retirement. (Applause.)

The Chair recognizes Ms. O'Callaghan for remarks, please.

Well, I hardly know what to say. It's kind of like an out of body experience for a young woman from Ballybay. I still see myself as a young woman, all evidence to the contrary, to be standing here in this wonderful room listening to these accolades and I'm deeply, deeply grateful. I am deeply grateful to my two fellow Board members, Councilman David Oh and Jim Kenney, but also to many other friends on City Council, Councilperson Green, Councilperson Quinones-Sanchez, Bobby -- I can hardly call you Councilperson yet. I'll get used to it, though -- and Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, Councilwoman Marian Tasco and all of you who have supported in different ways the work of welcoming our new friends and our new prospective Americans to our region. However, none of this work and none of these accolades could happen at all were it not for the people standing here behind me. These are the heroes and the workers. These are the folks that do the work. I get to stand up and be praised like this, but none of it would happen without these folks and also without our courageous and extraordinary clients who come here with one thing in mind, which is to make a new life and contribute to the tax base and to the diversity, the culture and the economy of our wonderful city and region. So let me say a very heartfelt on behalf of our clients, our Board and especially our staff. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)

At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Tasco, who will present a resolution recognizing Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Would Ms. Terry Pearsall-Hargett and those accompanying her please join the Councilwoman at the podium. And we also have Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown joining us. (Members and guests approached podium.)

Good morning. It always gives us a great pleasure to welcome our sorority sisters here in City Council. Each year they of working with City government, which is in keeping with one of their national agenda items and the Quaker City Chapter, one of the active chapters in this City of Philadelphia and Delaware County, and we always welcome them. And we invite our Councilmembers to come into the Caucus Room after Council and share your thoughts with these young ladies who are very active in our community. City Council of the City of Philadelphia, recognizing and acknowledging Delta Sigma Theta Sorority on the occasion of its Fifth Annual Philadelphia City Delta Day. Whereas, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was founded at Howard University on January 13th, 1913 by twenty-two African American collegiate women. Nearly six weeks after its inception, the founders of this illustrious organization participated in their first collective act of public service, marching in the Women's Suffrages March in Washington, DC; and Whereas, the twenty-two founders envisioned an organization that would use their collective strength to promote academic excellence, provide scholarships, provide assistance to persons in need, educate and stimulate participation in the establishment of positive public policy, and to highlight issues and provide solutions for problems in their communities; and Whereas, Delta Sigma Theta has been incorporated since 1930 and now boasts more than 200,000 members with over 900 chapters located in the United States, England, Japan, Germany, the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, and the Republic of Korea; and

Whereas, the major programs of the sorority are based upon the organization's Five Point Thrust of: Economic Development, Educational Development, International Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement; and Whereas, Delta Sigma Theta is highly recognized for its commitment to sisterhood, community service, and the creation and implementation of programs that support the mission of Delta; and Whereas, as a national and international body, Delta Sigma Theta has participated in numerous Delta Days in the Nation's Capital, and in March of 2003 became a Non-Governmental Organization at the United Nations, granting the organization special consultative status to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations; and Whereas, chapters from across Pennsylvania participate annually in Legislative Days in Harrisburg, and we are honored and pleased to be joined by the members of Quaker City Chapter -Councilwoman Tasco and I are members of Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter -- all who in the local public policymaking process and to further pledge their commitment to our city; now, therefore, be it resolved

By the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that we recognize and acknowledge Delta Sigma Theta Sorority on the occasion of its Fifth Annual City Council Delta Day. Further resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to members of Delta Sigma Theta as an expression of the sincere sentiment of this legislative body. Certification, this is a true and correct copy of the original resolution, adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 2nd of February 2012. It is signed by President Darrell Clarke, introduced by Marian Tasco and Councilwoman Brown, and supported by all members of City Council. We welcome these fine ladies, job in our community, and ask you to recognize them. Thank you. (Applause.)

Thank you. The Chair recognizes Ms. Hargett.

Thank you for this resolution. I'm accepting this on behalf of our Chapter President, Patricia Evans. I want to say that we are an organization that is dedicated to improving the social outcomes of our citizens of our city and our country, and our students that I'm so glad to have so many students here with us today that will carry on our legacy in the future. And thank you very much, and we continue to hope to work with you in the future. Thank you. (Applause.)

ease. (Council at ease.)

Thank you so much. The next order of business is communications. Would the Sergeant-at-Arms please deliver the communications messages to the Chief Clerk. Would the Chief Clerk please read the messages from the Mayor.

To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am pleased to advise you that on March 30 and April 10, 2012, I signed the remaining bills that were passed by Council at its session on March 22, 2012, and that on April 10, 2012, I signed all of the bills that were passed by Council at its session on March 29, 2012; and I am transmitting for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution approving the redevelopment of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the North Philadelphia Redevelopment Area, designated as Parcel No. 1 and also sometimes identified by house number and street address as 2652 North Orkney Street; and Also an ordinance amending Chapter 19-2600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Business Privilege Taxes," by amending Section 19-2602 thereof, entitled "Licenses," to add a new subsection requiring licensees operating a business premises to cooperate in the reporting and investigation of violent crimes on or near the premises; and An ordinance authorizing the striking from City Plan No. 42-S and abandonment of a right-of-way reserved for drainage purposes, water main purposes, and public utility purposes which extends from the southerly terminus of Galloway Street, south of Packer Avenue, southwardly to Pattison Avenue, all under certain terms and conditions.

Mr. Decker, do you have any other communications?

I have none, Mr. President.

Thank you, sir. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Kenney.

Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of myself and Councilman Henon, I introduce one resolution for consideration on next week's Calendar.

Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read the title.

A resolution authorizing the Committee on Public Property and Public Works to hold public hearings to review the status of the City's franchise agreements with Verizon Pennsylvania, particularly on the company's progress in making cable television service available across the City.

Thank you. That resolution will be placed on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell.

Thank you, Mr. President. Today I introduce two bills.

Thank you.

An ordinance naming the play area currently designated as the "Cobbs Creek Playground," located at 63rd and Catharine, and bounded by 63rd and Christian Streets as the "Rufus O. Williams Memorial Playground."

That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

And an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Spring Garden Street, North 33rd Street, Hamilton Street, and North 34th Street from "R-5" Residential to "C-2" Commercial.

That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.

Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf I offer one resolution.

Thank you, Councilman.

A resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 2212 North Eleventh Street, 2247 North Twelfth Street, 2226 North Camac Street, 2242 North Camac Street, 2250 North Camac Street, 2317 North Camac Street, 1200 West Dauphin Street, 1215 West Dauphin Street, 1220 West Dauphin Street, 1227 West Dauphin Street and 2336 North Fawn Street.

That resolution will placed on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Henon.

Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one bill co-sponsored by 13 of my colleagues, and I thank them very much.

You're welcome.

An ordinance amending Title 13 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Water and Sewer," by amending Section 13-201, which provides standards for the setting of sewer rates and charges, by further providing with respect to standards for the setting of stormwater rates and charges.

That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Tasco.

I have no bills or resolutions today, Mr. President.

Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.

Good morning, Mr. President. Today I offer one bill.

Thank you.

An ordinance authorizing the striking from City Plan No. 42-S and abandonment of a right-of-way reserved for drainage purposes, water main purposes, and public utility purposes which extends from the southerly terminus of Galloway Street, south of Packer Avenue, southwardly to Pattison Avenue.

That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.

Thank you, Mr. President. I have two resolutions for property disposition and I have two that I would ask that be voted on today, one co-sponsored by my colleagues Councilwoman Blackwell and Blondell Reynolds Brown.

Thank you, Councilwoman.

A privileged resolution declaring April to be Restorative Justice Month in the City of Philadelphia, and recognizing the Mural Arts Program for its leading role in furthering the use of restorative justices practices to transform individuals and communities.

That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.

And 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 Eighteenth and Nineteenth Wards of the City of Philadelphia.

That will be placed on next week's Final Passage Calendar.

And a resolution approving the redevelopment contract and disposition supplement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the North Philadelphia Redevelopment Area, designated as Parcel No. 1 and also sometimes identified by house number and street address as 2652 North Orkney Street.

That resolution will be placed on next week's Final Passage Calendar.

And a non-privileged resolution calling on the U.S. Congress and President Barack Obama to redirect military spending to fund education, public and private sector family-sustaining job creation, special protections for military sector workers, environmental and infrastructure restoration, care for veterans and their families, and the human services that our cities and states so desperately need.

Councilwoman, do you want that read today?

Yes.

Could I ask you to ask for a suspension of the rules, please.

Yes. I will -- you want to do it now?

It will be placed on -- just ask at the time to ask for a suspension of the rules.

Absolutely. Thank you, Mr. President.

You're welcome. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.

Thank you, Mr. President. No bills or resolutions today.

Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Brien.

Good morning, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.

Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.

Thank you, Mr. President. I offer no bills or resolutions.

Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown.

Thank you, Mr. President. No bills or resolutions this morning.

Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.

Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one bill, two resolutions co-sponsored on one by Councilmen Henon, Greenlee, Kenney, Johnson and Bass, and in a hot second, I'll know if Sanchez and Green are on it as well.

Thank you, Councilman.

That would be Sanchez and Green as well.

An ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code," by amending Subcode "F" ("The Philadelphia Fire Code"), by modifying a subsection allowing smoke alarms in existing oneand two-family dwellings to be solely battery powered.

Thank you. That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

And a resolution authorizing the joint Committee on Public Health and Human Services and Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless to examine the progress anti-poverty organizations and agencies such as the Mayor's Office of Community Services are making in the alleviation of poverty in the City of Philadelphia and, in furtherance of such investigation, authorizing the issuance of subpoenas.

That resolution will be placed on next week's Final Passage Calendar.

And a resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to repeal its expansion of the "Castle Doctrine" law, Pennsylvania's version of "Stand Your Ground" legislation, before someone in Pennsylvania experiences the loss and anguish of a preventable death.

Thank you. Councilman, you want that for today or next week?

That's for next week, and I wanted to know if -- are you on that as well? Mr. President, are you on that bill as well, the Castle Doctrine bill -or resolution?

If I'm not, it's only because nobody put it in front of me.

That's why I'm asking.

I clearly will sign it. I clearly will sign it.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Councilman. That resolution will be placed on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.

Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the Council President and myself, I offer two privileged resolutions co-signed by all Councilmembers, for which I will be asking that each be adopted separately by a standing vote.

Thank you, Councilman.

A privileged resolution honoring the memory of Philadelphia Fire Lieutenant Robert P. Neary.

That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.

And a privileged resolution honoring the memory of Philadelphia Firefighter Daniel J. Sweeney.

That resolution will also be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.

Good morning, Mr. President. I'd like to offer one resolution today. Thank you.

Thank you.

A privileged resolution congratulating the Saints John Neumann Maria Goretti 2011 through 2012 Boys Basketball Team on winning the Philadelphia Catholic League Championship, District 12 Class AAA City Title.

That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.

Good morning, Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions today.

Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Oh.

Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one privileged

Thank you.

A privileged resolution recognizing April 30th as Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag Day as a symbol of contributions of the Vietnamese-American community in the City of Philadelphia.

That resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. Thank you. That concludes the introduction. The next order of business is reports from committees. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee for a report from the Committee on Rules.

Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Rules reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.

Thank you.

To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Rules, to which was referred Bill No. 120015, entitled "An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Broad Street, Master Street, Carlisle Street and Thompson Street, and amending Section 14-305 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'C-4' Commercial and 'C-5' Commercial District, all under certain terms and conditions," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.

The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 120015. (Duly seconded.)

It's been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 120015. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. This bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Goode for a report from the Committee on Appropriations.

Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Appropriations reports one bill with a favorable recommendation.

Thank you, Councilman.

The Committee on Appropriations, to which was referred Bill No. 120252, entitled "An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2012 within the General Fund from the Office of Property Assessment to the Law Department," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.

The Chair recognizes Councilman Goode.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 120252. (Duly seconded.)

It's been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 120252. All those in favor? (Aye.) 2ND READING

All those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. Bill 120252 will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. The next order of business is consideration of Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committee with suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had a first reading. These bills will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for the next session of Council. As there are no other bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair now recognizes Councilman Jones for the purpose of calling up resolutions and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar.

Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up for Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today: Nos. 120219, 120150, 120255, 120256, 120257, 120258, 120259, 120261, 120263, 120169-A, and all other resolutions and bills are being held.

Thank you, Councilman. Before considering the vote on these particular resolutions and bills, we will have public comment. I will state to you that the public comment will go as follows: You will have three minutes to speak. Your name must be on the sign-up sheet in order to testify. If you have not done so, we'll ask that you please sign up at the desk to the left. There will be a device at the podium. When it's green, it means you are to speak. When it's yellow, it means that there are 30 seconds before your time is up. We ask you to please adhere to the particular rules, because we tend to have a lot of people and we want to make sure that everybody has an opportunity to speak. So we'll please ask for you to adhere to the regulations that we have put forth. Mr. Decker, would you please read the title of the first individual wishing to testify.

Valerie Anderson. (No response.)

Valerie Anderson. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: She's sick.

Brett Anderson. (Witness approached podium.)

Good morning.

Good morning. First I want to thank the Council for challenging this ban, which we see as immoral and ungodly for a number of reasons. And the one reason I wanted to look at is that we feel it targets religious freedom. As a Christian, too often we are sadly represented by what we stand against instead of what we stand for, and I just wanted to definitively state that one of the things we stand for, according to Matthew 25, is the feeding of the hungry, the giving of shelter to the stranger, visiting those who are sick and those who are in prison. We don't see this as an option. We see this as a command, and it is where our faith stands or falls. The second thing is linked to health regulations. We support where they hope that food can be given out healthily and more accessibly, but we are against where it creates more hurdles in feeding those outside. With Mayor Nutter's ban and the fact that it specifically targets Love Park and the park in front of the museum that's being about to be opened, it's a lot easier to join the dots and see where it comes from, and it really looks like an attempt to hide the homeless so that tourists can come and tour in freedom, and we want to say that we are categorically against that. And then just to close off, in the words of Jesus, this is kind of what he said to us. He said, those on his left, depart from me, you who are cursed into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry, and you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to drink. I was a stranger, and you did not invite me in. I needed clothes, and you did not clothe me. I was sick and in prison, and you did not look after me. They answered and said, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or estranged or needing clothes or sick or in prison and did not help you? He will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me. Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. The last point is that Philadelphia comes from the word "philao" meaning brotherly love, and when Jesus was asked who his brothers and family were, he didn't talk about blood relatives. He talked about those people standing alongside him and the people that are on the streets. The homeless people are our family and our relatives, and we want to make sure that the Council will do whatever is necessary to do so that they can be protected and looked after and well fed. Thank you very much. (Applause.)

Shawn O'Mahoney. (No response.)

Shawn O'Mahoney. (No response.)

Sueihn Lee. (No response.)

Sueihn Lee. (Witness approached podium.)

Good morning, and thank you. I think that this regulation brought upon by the Department of Parks and Recreation is abhorrent on multiple levels that we can all universally agree on. Wherever you stand on the political spectrum, I think we can agree that we don't want the government to interfere in the private lives of private citizens and however we choose to carry out who we share food with and what we eat. Also I think we can all agree that civil rights is important to us, that oppression is something that's against the foundations of our country, and here in this city is where all of that began. We can agree that anything that oppresses those who are mentally ill, physically or mentally disabled, children and other vulnerable people should not be subject to laws that will further oppress them. Also, on an economic level, a study done in 2001 by my alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania, showed that the high cost spent on -- taxpayers' money spent on things like emergency rooms or police interventions, that same amount of money can be used for support for those who don't have homes and it will be more effective. And I think private citizens willing to help those who are vulnerable is a benefit for the City, who is experiencing funding cuts all around. But, most importantly, on a spiritual level, I think we can all universally agree that love is the higher truth and love is the way. And as a follower of Jesus, I believe that when he died on that cross and rose again, it was for the sake of our own darkness and brokenness, which we all share. It was for the sake of all wrongdoing that he took that consequence. And when he rose again from the dead, it was to bring us new life. But I also believe that not only the dividing wall between us and God was broken through what Jesus did, but also the dividing wall between one another, that through Jesus there is neither poor nor rich nor male nor female nor black nor white nor yellow or brown. There is no more wall between us. We are all one. We're one family. And I really want to encourage the City to rethink these regulations that would enforce dividing walls instead of breaking down dividing walls. Thank you.

Thank you. (Applause.)

Erica Moulinier. (Witness approached podium.)

Hi there. I'm a taxpayer and resident of Philadelphia in zip code 19134, and I'm here with The Simple Way, a Kensington faith-based non-profit that has worked for over 15 years to advocate for the poor in our city. And I want you to know that I believe that you as governing officials must do something to stop these regulations which are barriers to compassion and love. We believe that it's appropriate for the City to intervene when there are specific groups that are sharing food in a way that is unsafe, unsanitary or irresponsible, but a citywide food ban or ban on sharing food is not a necessary or sensible response to those exceptional cases. We are concerned that these new regulations and policies do more harm than good and create bureaucratic barriers to compassion. Also, I fear that these regulations target and will be selectively enforced against some of our most vulnerable citizens. And failure to enforce this type of legislation is a clear civil rights violation as well as an act of discrimination. The park and public spaces of our city should be enjoyed by all citizens, rich or poor. Sharing food with those who are hungry is a fundamental act of human conscience. The thousands of people who share food in any way, both inside and outside, make our world a better place. The economic challenges facing our nation have awakened us in a sense of solidarity, knowing that there is a fine line between us and them. Additional cuts in City funding threaten to make such acts of generosity even more necessary. Deputy Mayor Schwarz has noted that most funds for the City's human services come from the state, where a new budget cut threatens to cut 41 million in social service funding, representing a 20 percent cut, threatening even those services that currently exist and do so much good. For many of us, sharing food is not only a matter of conscience, but an act of faith, a spiritual practice and exercise of religious freedom. As Jesus bids us to come and follow, feed the poor, care for the hungry, we are not willing to allow unjust policies to be obstacles to our love. We deeply value dialogue and are convinced we can do more together than we can do on our own. Thank you.

Thank you. (Applause.)

Rachel Hosan, commenting on 120254. (Witness approached podium.)

Thank you. Good morning, President Clarke and members of the Philadelphia City Council. My name is Rachel Hosan. I'm on staff at a church called Liberty Fairmount. We meet in the Fairmount neighborhood. Our pastor is unable to be here today to represent our church, but I'm speaking on his behalf and for our congregation of about 250 people. We've been sharing hot meals with our neighbors on the Ben Franklin Parkway every night for the past seven years -- every Friday night, excuse me, for the past seven years. Our church's ministry of serving meals on the Parkway is an expression of our faith in Jesus Christ and a response to his commands that we believe he's told us to feed those who are hungry, and we're concerned that this regulation will prohibit us from practicing our faith by sharing food with our neighbors. Mayor Nutter has stated that one of his reasons for this regulation is a desire to offer dignity to individuals by providing them a place to eat indoors. And while we do agree that all people have great dignity, that should be preserved whether or not they can afford to buy food. We do not feel that this regulation will truly be seeking dignity for all Philadelphians. Over our years of serving meals in the City, we have come to believe that in order to meet the needs of the homeless and the hungry, we have to go to them rather than dictate that they come to us. We empathize with a reluctance to seek meals indoors, where the conditions are not always ideal and some of them are physically unable to go. We find it unsatisfactory to just send everyone who is hungry to sit at a table provided at the City Hall apron, and feel that the City's proposed alternative for serving meals in this way doesn't provide adequate long-term resources for the amount of people who are currently being served outside. As Christians, as Erica and others have stated, our definition of family does extend beyond those who are biologically related to us, so that any of our neighbors is a brother or sister, and we want to continue to share our abundance with part of our family that's in need, in the same way that you would give us permission to have a picnic in the park with our biological family. We believe this regulation will take away resources that are necessary to the health and wellbeing of many Philadelphians who are homeless, disabled, elderly, mentally ill and vulnerable, and our church is committed to pursuing justice on behalf of these individuals. So we ask you that rather than passing this regulation, that you would please gather representatives who can discuss solutions to our city's hunger problems that will incorporate both indoor and outdoor meals in a way that will best meet the needs that are present. We desire to help with this, and our ministry of our church not only allows us to practice our faith, it also relieves some of the burden of public services from our city, and we know that there's not enough cash available to replace the services that we are offering. So we ask you to honor our efforts and worship to serve our city in this manner. Thank you very much.

Thank you so much. (Applause.)

Veronica Joyner, commenting on 120254. (Witnesses approached podium.)

Good morning. Thank you, President Clarke, Councilmembers present, parents and students. I would also like to offer a special thanks to Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell for her continued support in holding the hearings. I'm Veronica Joyner and I'm the Founder and Chief Administrative Officer of the Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School, and we're one of the largest charter schools in the State of Pennsylvania with a population of nearly 1,000 students in Grade 1 through 12. I am here and committed to public education in the City of Philadelphia, which started as a Philadelphia public school teacher. I am also the founder of Parents United for Better Schools, a non-profit parent advocacy corporation based in Germantown Philadelphia. I'm here today to discuss my disagreement with the recent ruling by Mayor Nutter to ban outdoor feeding of the homeless. Let me begin with some disturbing facts about the homeless in Philadelphia according to Trevors Campaign on Homeless. There are 13,000 homeless annually. Four hundred thousand people in the City live in poverty. One thousand five hundred families become homeless each year. Twenty-five percent of homeless have mental illness. Seventy percent are shelter and children. Thirty-three percent of the homeless women are the domestic violence cases, and 30 percent of the homeless adults are substance abusers. Homeless people don't choose to be homeless. The Mayor indicated that feeding lacks both sanitary and dignity. Would it give dignity and would it be sanitary to have homeless people eat out of trash cans and dumpsters? I ask that you allow some of the students that I have here to talk about some of the things that they have experienced and learned from the homeless, but I would first like to mention that the Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School's homeless project was founded and it is operated by youth enrolled in the school. Students from Grades 1 through 12 donate a dollar to feed over 500 homeless citizens, and students raise about a thousand dollars to fund the project. Clothes, blankets, shoes, clothes, food, hats, coats are distributed every Thursday. There are teams of students that sort and distribute clothes and make hundreds of bags of toiletries and undergarments. Students meet every Thursday. We have a graduate of our school, Nehemiah Davis, who feeds the homeless in Center City every Monday using his own funds, and we also have another student that co-founded the King's House, a 20-bed shelter, with his father, and another student that's using the project as a required plan for his business degree. I would like to relinquish just a minute or so to the students to talk to you about what they've gained from the civics project at our school.

Good morning, City Council President Darrell Clarke and other Councilmembers present. I would also like to acknowledge Councilwoman Blackwell for holding this public hearing. My name is Jabri Witherspoon. I am in ninth grade at the Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School of Philadelphia, Incorporated. I'm aspiring to be a good citizen, and I believe it is my civic duty as well as others to help the homeless. As a good citizen, I have donated many dollars towards the homeless project at my school, and I enjoy doing it. At our school, giving, helping and caring is part of our civic curriculum. We are encouraged to help others because it is the right thing to do. Every Thursday for the past seven years at 8 o'clock p.m., Mrs. Joyner, Founder and Chief Administrative Officer, supervises our homeless project, along with the dedicated students and me. We serve over 500 homeless citizens in the City of Philadelphia distributing food, toiletries and clothes. Men make up the largest number of the homeless population we serve. Some of the men we serve are homeless veterans who fought for our freedom. If these homeless men risked their lives for America, why should they suffer? Every man and woman is entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That means everyone has the right to live and the right to be happy. Taking away food does not give that right to the homeless. I disagree with the ban on outdoor feeding our Mayor is passing. This immoral decision will in fact destroy the lives of thousands. The economy is also to blame for this increase in homelessness. Many people are homeless because there are no jobs. If this ban takes place, not only will crime rise, so will Philadelphia's death rate. If people don't have food, they die. If people are not clean, there's a risk of spreading diseases, and diseases do kill. Thank you. (Applause.) MISS PECK: Good morning, all. My name is Myettia Peck. I am an eighth grade student at the Mathematics, Civics and Science Charter School. It is important for human beings to eat in order to survive. No one should have to eat from garbage disposals or any unsanitary place. That is why our school buys and donates food to the homeless. In this bag we have a turkey and cheese sandwich, crackers, fruit, a dessert and a bottle of water. This meal provides nutritional food for them in order to live. MISS CHRISTIAN: Good morning, President Clarke, Councilwoman Blackwell and all members. Thank you for holding this hearing to give our students a chance to speak. My name is Shawayna Christian and I attend the Mathematics, Civics, Science Charter School. To ban feeding the homeless is not cruel, but it is inhumane. It's not going to help. It will only exacerbate the problem. When people are hungry and they are not fed, they die. This is also going to increase the death rates. And then how great will Philadelphia look to tourists? This ban is placed to hide our homeless from tourists. We will be known as the city that doesn't care, the city that doesn't love. It contradicts the whole brotherly love image that we try so hard to withhold. I myself can't imagine the standing fact Philadelphia, the city I call home, a city I respect and love, turns to basically a pure act of selfishness. Every state has homeless people and it is sad to be judged -- it is sad to judge the state on how they treat their children, old, sick and, in this case, their homeless. You have to love the people and understand it is not their fault that they are homeless. This choice -- and never their choice. Thank you. (Applause.)

Good morning, City Council President Darrell Clarke, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and all members present. My name is Gregory Dooley. I am in ninth grade and I attend the Mathematics, Civics and Science Charter School of Philadelphia. I'm here to speak on the recent ban on feeding homeless outdoors. I disagree with the ban because it's wrong and unsympathetic. I don't understand why our Mayor wants to stop citizens from feeding homeless people. It clearly does not make any sense. In a recent article, the Mayor stated it is a health hazard to feed homeless people and we may poison people. It is clear to the ban -- it is clear the ban is for the look of Philadelphia, to make it appear that we don't have any homeless people. The City of Brotherly Love is expected to show brotherly love. Citizens serving food to hungry homeless people is not a health hazard. Starving homeless people is the health hazard. I volunteer with Ms. Veronica Joyner every Thursday night for the past two years. I enjoy taking my time out to help homeless people eat and receive clothing. My school actually teaches me to care about homeless citizens. We want to help homeless people succeed and help them get off the streets. Banning homeless people from being fed will only make the problem worse. Homeless people need our help. Our Mayor should respect the fact that helping people is not bad at all. Thank you. (Applause.) MISS GEORGE: These are some of the items we give out to the homeless whenever we go to feed them. We give them a blanket, pants, shirt, socks, undergarments, soap, toothpaste, sneakers and deodorant. These are basic needs that need to be met, and by giving out these products, we help them stay warm, safe and clean. We have suffered from outbreaks from diseases and viruses before. By giving out fresh clothes and washing products, we can help prevent that in the future. Thank you. (Applause.)

By giving away these products, we show that we respect our brethren on the streets. We show that these are essential needs, food, shelter and clothing. They need to stay warm, and this is how they will. More schools need to act the way we do and deliver everything that we have. They should give away clothing that they do not need. We students do. We outgrow our clothing, and another person has not yet, so they may need them. So when we outgrow our clothing, we give them to the school and they are donated to the homeless. That is our goal, to make sure the homeless are like brethren, clean, they are in order, organized. Even though they are on the streets, they need to be fed. This is just a start. This is a good start. Thank you. (Applause.)

Thank you very much. Thank you. (Standing ovation.)

Adam from Philly Restart, commenting on 120254. (Witness approached podium.) ADAM: Thanks so much for having us out today. I just want to say that though I oppose the regulation, I have a great respect for the City, this country and this Council and the Mayor himself. That being said, I want to speak to specifically about my experience in working with the homeless. About 11 years ago, I came to Philadelphia, and I would see many panhandlers. One guy said to me, What's the greatest nation in the world? And I paused to say something patriotic, and he said, Donation, give me a dollar. And so sometimes I would give the guys a dollar, but eventually I spoke out loud the thing that was in my heart, which is, Why don't you just get a job, why don't you just walk into McDonald's and get a job. So I finally asked the guys. The guy said, Well, I can't get a job. I don't have an ID, and I spend most of my day trying to get food to survive. So I got some food for the guys. I picked a small group. I helped them get their IDs and I tried to get them back on their feet. Those guys told their friends. They told their friends, and now we've got a program on Monday afternoons in the Parkway that feeds outside. We serve meals outside. We don't feed outside. Feeding is for farms. We serve meals to people. (Applause.) ADAM: And so our program is on the Parkway. And I want to address some of the specific things that the Mayor addressed as his reasons why not to have these programs continue. The safety of the food. I think it's been said that there's a worry about this quality of food. What's going to happen if you ban this is just what was said before, people will eat out of the trash. Desperate people do desperate things. Stealth little grandmas will come by with food and they'll set it down on a park bench and they'll run away, and then the rest of the day people are going to pass around that food. It's going to get handed down, passed around. The food will get worse. The second issue was the dignity of the men. I think there's some great indoor facilities in this city, but they choose often to come to our meals. They choose to leave the hotdog soup at some of the shelters and come to eat a meal with people that care about them. We believe dignity comes from having a choice of where you want to eat as opposed to being told when and where to do it. We believe that dignity comes when people care and show that they care and come forward and ban together. And these guys will see then that the next piece of this, which is the criticism that social services are not allowed on the Parkway. Well, our group now helps thousands of people get state IDs in the City. The social services refer their clients to us. Project HOME sends a volunteer. We're trying to step in the gap. We are trying not to give people just food, but really to try to get them back on their feet. Our program runs a $60,000 a year budget that is about IDs and a small part of that for food. We really help people, and we want to help people, but we want to do it with the City and not in opposition to the City. The other point was the appropriateness of the Parkway. As it's been said before, this is the City of Brotherly Love. We don't want to be regulated where we love our brothers and sisters on the Parkway of Philadelphia. We want to work with the City to have a collaboration and to meet those guys, those veterans, those men who don't want to go into shelters, the families who don't want to bring their children when they need food at the end of the month into a homeless shelter, but just want to come to the park. We are their barbecue, and we just ask that you allow us to continue to have that. Thank you so much for your time. (Applause.)

Jay Barbieri, commenting on 120254. (Witness approached podium.)

Thank you, Council President Clarke and City Council. My name is Jay Barbieri. I'm an Elder at Liberty Church in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia. I also live in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia. My wife and I have been feeding -- excuse me; serving the homeless and disadvantaged on Logan Circle for the last eight years, and I'm speaking today against Resolution 769785 by Mayor Nutter because I feel that it restricts my ability to be a Christian and serve out of a heart of love and care for those around me that don't have the ability to provide for themselves. I want to help to protect the disadvantaged, those that can't fend for themselves, and that's what we do when we serve food on the Parkway. As Adam just said, a lot of these folks come to us because we have relationships with them, because they know that we care, because we meet and slip into the gap between the City and other services to give them the dignity that Mayor Nutter says he wants to give them. For you to help block this resolution, you will be indeed giving these folks the dignity that you want to give them by allowing us to come alongside them and serve them. And my hope is that you would as a City Council empower us to be a bridge between the City services and the need that is among these folks. Would you please block this resolution, and would you please look for a way to enable us, those of us that are in churches, civic groups, to partner with the City so that we can provide the services that these folks need. Thank you. (Applause.)

Katie-Jo Claiborne. (No response.)

Katie-Jo Claiborne. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: She's sick too.

Janell Anema, commenting on 120254.

Good morning. My name is Janell Anema. I am a resident in West Philadelphia working in Kensington with The Simple Way. I'm here to express my strong opposition and my deep sadness concerning the Mayor's regulation banning public feeding in Philly. I'll start by thanking Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell for her leadership and her willingness to bring this issue back into public dialogue. Along with the unanimous support of the City Council, Councilwoman Blackwell has ensured that these regulations intending to sweep our homeless brothers and sisters under the rug will not also be swept under the rug. It is unnerving to know that the government actions are threatening to impinge on the civil liberties of the most vulnerable populations in our city, and as evidenced by my shaking voice, it's unnerving to stand here today on their behalf. Whereas, there are all kinds of linguistic hoops that I clearly don't know how to jump through. Whereas, I lack any political capital in the City, as I've only recently relocated and haven't worked or interned in any of your offices. Whereas, I didn't wake up this morning intending to speak into a microphone to this distinguished audience, and I don't wish to steward my time poorly. I'm asking you to eliminate these proposed regulations on my behalf, you who navigate these legislative systems with ease, you who are working with my political capital as my elected officials, you who are much more comfortable with microphones such as these and must also steward your time wisely. Be bold. Stand in the gap. Stand with us in the gap and be for the least of these. I'm wearing black today because I'm in mourning. I grieve these proposed regulations and those of the board of the Health Department. How long? How long will I grieve? And how soon is the vote? (Applause.)

Christine Murrison. (No response.)

Christine Murrison. (No response.)

Brian Jenkins. (Witness approached podium.)

Council President Clarke, I definitely want to give honor to Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell, who I consider as the Queen of Philadelphia. We also want to give honor to my Councilperson, Mark Squilla, and congratulate him on his newly elected office here in City Council. I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on behalf of our Chosen 300 Ministries here and around the world in Guyana, Jamaica, India, Nigeria, South Africa, Liberia, Ghana and the United States. We come here in a grieve moment. I was listening to the children, and I think that's what motivated me most. If you couldn't hear it through them, then you won't hear it through anybody and my words really won't mean anything. But we stand here in solidarity with a group of churches, organizations, grandmothers and families that get together to serve the homeless and the less fortune of our city. We hereby deem these regulations unconstitutional, a violation of civil rights, a denial of religious freedom and a discriminatory practice against the protected classes of our city. These regulations that both the Mayor and the Health Department have set forth indicate that we can only serve less than three people. So, therefore, if you're going to say that one group of people can only serve three people, then you have to do it for every barbecue, you have to do it for every family gathering, you have to do it for every picnic. Because any time that you target one group of people and discriminate and say that only they cannot receive food, then it is against the law. The regulations are designed for the purpose simply of economic gain and not for public health. They have simply decided that they want to move the homeless and put them indoors. They are not people that can be just put aside into a separate place. The Mayor has indicated he has provided a place around the atrium of City Hall where the homeless now can go in a separate but equal place. The Mayor needs to be sent a news flash that separate but equal was abolished in 1954. (Applause.)

The regulations violate civil rights of the protected classes, including the disabled, the elderly and the children. Very recently the Governor has indicated there's going to be a 20 percent reduction in social services, which will equivocate to about $41 million in the City of Philadelphia if that budget is approved. Schwarz has indicated -- Deputy Mayor Schwarz has indicated that two-thirds of that money will come from mental health services, which is most of the people that we serve. If we take the food away from these people, it will stimulate crime, it will assimilate aggressive panhandling and it will stimulate hunger and health hazards for people who desperately need this food. My yellow light is on, so I'm going to leave you with the words that are in the Book of Acts, the Book of Acts. It's important that we talk about this because we are on the heels of a liturgical point of our text, and Acts, the 4th Chapter, where after the Holy Spirit had come and descended upon them, the Bible says that all things were in common, and they came together and no one lacked. If we only provide protection for the rich and not the poor, then we are an unjust society and not a city of brotherly love. Thank you so much. (Applause.)

Reggie Marrow. (Witness approached podium.)

Good morning, President Clarke and the entire City Council. I find it an honor to be here, and I want to put a special emphasis on honoring Jannie Blackwell for bringing this bill forth. This bill is simply talking about what we should be doing for the downtrodden, the homeless and those that are not as fortunate. (Music playing; witness singing.) Thank you very much. My time is up. (Applause.)

Greg Volz. (Witness approached podium.)

I appreciate the opportunity to be here this morning. I'm going to speak to the youth court resolution. My name is Greg Volz and I'm paid by the Stoneleigh Foundation. I've been running youth courts in the City of Chester for five years, trained about 15 different groups of students during that time. And in light of the moving testimony by the children this morning, my prepared remarks are going to be altered a little bit. I mean, youth courts really are about listening to our children. It's an alternative disciplinary system, where instead of having adults decide what should happen to kids that break the rules, we have youth who are trained by lawyers and teachers and other professionals to operate youth courts. They use peer pressure. Those of us that are parents know that for many of our children, there are times in their lives where what their friends think is a lot more important than what we believe. Peer pressure works on the same principle. As a matter of fact, our youth courts, we have juries of students, and when they give their disposition, we don't call it a sentence, because we're restorative. We're not about punishing kids; we're about helping them. When they give their disposition, they all stand up and they face the respondent and they read the verdict, and that's pretty powerful stuff when seven or eight or nine of the kids that you see every day that maybe live in your neighborhood and go to your classes tell you what you just did is not acceptable and it's going to have to stop. Youth courts are the most replicable juvenile justice program in the United States. There's about 1,150 of them. There's only about 20 in the State of Pennsylvania. Recently, the Pennsylvania Bar Association adopted a resolution unanimously calling for youth courts to be created in all counties in the State of Pennsylvania. Two of the students that I was the most fond of who have now graduated -- in Chester, graduation itself is an accomplishment -- one is in the Marines now protecting us; the other one is attending a post-secondary educational institution in Philadelphia. One of them told me once that if it wasn't for youth court, they would be in a gang. So to the degree that you're looking for new ideas and new strategies on how to deal with violence, I think all I can tell you is that my experience is that kids in many ways can handle this issue better than we can as adults. I'm not talking about severe crime. I'm not talking about individuals that have severe behavioral issues. We're talking about the kids that are getting off track and youth court has put them back on. Thank you for your time. (Applause.)

Shawn Laney, commenting on 120254. (Witness approached podium.)

Good morning, Council President.

Good morning.

Fellow Councilpersons. Why am I here? I'm here to share my experience being a homeless person and serving the homeless. I am also here to speak against the legislation on behalf of the homeless. A little about myself. I'm a college graduate with two Bachelor of Science degrees. I'm a mechanical engineer by profession. I have almost 20 years of professional experience working with engineering design firms and utility companies, and yet I find myself homeless. Not because of any decision I made, but because of outside influences and persons who made this decision for me. Due to these outside influences, my family began to experience difficulties beyond my control. My experiences have also caught the attention of city, state and federal governments. Being called into the ministry, God was able to use evil for good, in that I have firsthand knowledge of what a homeless person goes through. Most people are not homeless because they want to be. Many find themselves homeless because of life circumstances; i.e., loss of job, unsafe housing, mental illness and, yes, substance abuse. I myself do not smoke, drink or do drugs. Please note that most people who feed the homeless do so out of a calling from God, as he has burned their hearts to give of themselves through serving the disadvantaged. Their service to the homeless is more than just about food, as they also share the gospel of Christ. They also provide personal items, and in listening here, and wanted to share their burdens. Quite a few of the homeless do not feel comfortable in a church setting or a shelter. To stop serving food on the Parkway would put them at a great disadvantage. My experience with the homeless has taught me that most feel a lack of respect -- that most feel lack of respect in society and that most people really don't care about the homeless. Please be informed that I was one of those persons who really didn't care until God opened my eyes to the sufferings of the homeless and disadvantaged. How will this bill affect me? God has given me a mandate to help the homeless and disadvantaged in our city, to minister the gospel, to help develop our community economically and spiritually. God has helped me develop relationships with persons that has given -- that he has given vision and purpose; namely, my pastor, Dr. Horace Sheppard, Jr., the Senior Pastor of West Oak Lane Church of God; Mr. Brian Jenkins, the Executive Director of Chosen 300; and Reverend Mathews, the Executive Director of Helping Hand Rescue Mission, just to name a few. And needless to say, this bill will hinder that purpose. The bill will have an adverse effect on a number of men, women and children serving food on the Parkway, helps countless of people supplement not only meals but with other needs, such as clothes, toiletries, Bibles, books and other necessities that most of us take for granted each day. God, through his service, fulfills needs the government can't fulfill. (Microphone cut off.)

Sir, can you wrap up. Your three minutes are up. Can you wrap it up, please.

I'm in support of the City in finding a solution to the problems that will be a win-win for all interested parties, but to deny the citizens the right to feed the poor is not the answer. I would like to believe that City Council wants to encourage people of faith to take every opportunity to help some of his poor citizens. Please start by voting against this bill. Thank you.

Thank you. (Applause.)

Daniel Colbert, commenting on 120254. (Witness approached podium.)

Good morning, President of City Council and Councilmember Blackwell and the rest of City Council and everyone else who's spoken here today on this resolution. I'd like to thank you all for coming out and spending your time on this today. I am an attorney for the Commonwealth of -- in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and in the City of Philadelphia, and I'm here representing the Ministry of Emmanuel, which is actually a place where we serve homeless persons indoors, and also the Philadelphia Christian Legal Clinics, which is a network of several hundred Christian attorneys in the greater Philadelphia area. They've authorized me to speak on their behalf. We are concerned about three major things here. The first is that this is a serious civil rights issue. The second is that this threatens our faith and worship. And the third, that this hurts the people who it's claiming to help. First of all, on the civil rights issue. I want to remind everyone that when this country was founded, the only people who could vote were white male landowners. We don't want to go back to a time when only landowners or any other specified class of people have special rights and the rest of society is left out or vice versa, a time when there's one particular part of society that's left out. Just because someone doesn't have a home does not take away from their worth or value, and we want to make sure that they know that and that the City knows that. (Applause.)

During the civil rights struggle, one of the major issues that is lesser known but very important within caselaw of the Supreme Court was the issue of public parks. Public parks are for the enjoyment of all people, not just certain people, and integral to enjoying public parks is the ability to go there to eat, to play, to rest, to have fun, to associate with your neighbors. Taking away a fundamental part of this, the ability to eat, threatens the entire system. Furthermore, there have been reports that I cannot confirm, but I've heard from several of my homeless friends that during this last weekend, they were kicked off of the Parkway by people claiming to be from Parks and Rec and from the Police Department. These practices are incredibly alarming to us, and we're worried about what this means for the civil rights of our friends and neighbors. Additionally, the Mayor has said in news interviews that he is going to make sure that this doesn't affect families on picnics and other similar activities, church outings. However, as the regulation is currently written, there is no exemption for this, and I can't see a principled way for such an exemption to be written without targeting the homeless directly. Furthermore, this threatens a practice in the Christian family that goes back over 2,000 years and it hurts those that it claims to help with integrity. We have an indoor feeding facility. However, not everyone has that option, and ours is actually difficult to navigate because of stairs and other obstacles. We can't have people with wheelchairs come in because of the difficulty with the stairs. It's an old building. It's the First Baptist Church at 17th and Sansom. And I would claim that, just in wrapping up here, that the only way to serve justice here is in defeating this regulation and other regulations like it. And I would like to read quickly from Amos 5:24, that we should let justice run down like waters and righteousness as a mighty and ever-flowing stream. Thank you for your time.

Thank you. (Applause.)

Jeremy Samsoe, commenting on 120254. (Witness approached podium.)

Thank you, City Council, for giving us the opportunity to be here. My name is Jeremy. I'm a resident of Brewerytown area of Philadelphia. I'm also a member of the Liberty Fairmount Church. Rachel spoke on the congregation's behalf. I can't do that, but I can speak unofficially on some of the concerns that other members of our church, other neighbors that I've talked to, people that I know have other concerns that we generally have about this particular regulation. I can't say much more than really has already been said, but I will try to restate them as best I can. Three things mainly that we have concerns. One is, as Daniel said before, this method of enforcement, how will this be enforced. As was just mentioned, Mayor Nutter said that this regulation will not affect picnics, church gatherings and other such things. Where is the legal basis for this? We have yet -- and I've worked with Brian from Chosen 300 and a lot of us, and we've looked, we have not seen any basis for this. If it's not legally enforced across the City, it's going to be discrimination, discrimination against people who are physically disabled, who are mentally handicapped, military veterans, families, other groups of protected classes of people. This can be severe, severe discrimination and severe backlash as well. The practicality, the second, of the available resources. Mayor Nutter said that this is about the dignity, improving the dignity of the homeless, and I and everyone applaud him for that, but if it truly is, before government action is in place to take away resources, other resources should be in place prior to that action, and we don't see anything that -- any steps in place to truly help and improve the dignity of people who are looking for a meal. And none of us, I think, think that a one-year feeding station at City Hall is an adequate substitute for a 20 percent budget cut to social services, closing shelters around the City and, as we're here to discuss, elimination of the free resources that meet people's needs in their time of struggle and in their time of need. Lastly, as I said, I'm part of the Liberty Fairmount congregation, and a lot of us, we do feel like this really impedes our religious freedom, our ability to, as we're commanded to, to love God and to love our neighbor, to use the Biblical imagery of those with two coats, to give one to those who have none. And this action, this legislation, would, in effect, not only impede our religious calling, but what we see as our religious right. So in closing, just to reiterate to say that we are, I think, as a whole willing and want to work with the City in this issue, that this is not us against them, it's not us against the City, that this is us against poverty, against suffering, against need and against want, and that's why we're here. And we ask you would hear these sincere concerns and join with us in truly improving the health and care of the City's citizens. So thank you very much. (Applause.)

Monica Wildes, commenting on 120254. (Witness approached podium.)

Good afternoon. My name is Monica Wildes. I'm representing We Feed the Homeless Philadelphia. This is Mr. Craig Stroman. He is the CEO and Founder. I am a Board member. I'm reading a letter that was written by Mr. Stroman in response to Resolution 120254. Councilwoman, we thank you. We Feed the Homeless Philly is staunchly against Mayor Nutter's ban on feeding on the streets through the Parks Department. When we began feeding at Love Park in July 2010, it was in the midst of a heat wave, in the midst of over 95-degree weather, and we actually had the opportunity not only to serve over 200 persons that day, but our food and the liquids that we were able to give that day prevented individuals from having heat stroke, prevented heat exhaustion, prevented hunger. Despite the good that we were doing and the lives we were attempting to serve, the Parks Commission shut us down that day. It was that day that it was determined to feed the homeless on a larger scale. So as a result, we decided to move our feedings to 18th and Vine, where we started feeding over 300 people every day. As of this date since July 2010, we have fed over 15,000 meals. I'm going to say that again. Over 15,000 meals served to individuals that are currently suffering from homelessness. We feed the homeless because it is the right thing to do. There are thousands of mentally disabled homeless persons roaming around our streets from budgets being cut for mental health clinics and homeless shelters being shut down. We feed our fallen comrades and heroes who came home from wars fought abroad, only to be met with foreclosure signs on their doors. These are the stories we hear from those forgotten and disrespected Americans. Mayor Nutter always talks about Philadelphia as the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection but, however, seems to forget that the part about love, which is what we are spreading, and showing the homeless community that we care about our fellow Philadelphians. The Mayor discusses the homeless being fed in a dignified manner by feeding them inside. The homeless people that we speak to do not want to come to a section of City Hall for a meal because of it being in an arena type setting where people will be taking photographs and news television stations making the situation a spectacle. So in closing, here's some questions that we have for Mayor Nutter and some things that we would like for you to consider. What do we tell the young boys and girls that have volunteered with us and other organizations during our feeding about your ban? What do we tell the homeless who do not want to come to City Hall for a meal? What shall we tell our churches whose religious freedoms that are being violated by an attempt to discourage them from feeding in public parks and spaces? What are the City's plans to help these people? Thank you. (Applause.)

Robert Taylor, commenting on 120261. (Witness approached podium.)

Good morning, Mr. President, members of Council, ladies and gentlemen.

Good morning.

I'm Robert Taylor, a citizen of Philadelphia, commenting on Resolution 120261, Trayvon Martin. Quote, a police surveillance video taken the night that Trayvon Martin was shot dead shows no blood or bruises on George Zimmerman, end quote, ABC news reporter Matt Gutman wrote, noting that Zimmerman told police that, quote, he shot Martin after he was punched in the nose, knocked down and had his head slammed into the ground, end quote. ABC news reported that Zimmerman appeared to be uninjured in the video, but according to the Daily Caller, a still image from the video indicates that what appears to be a vertical laceration or scar several inches long. Much of the mainstream media is suppressing information in order to inflame racial division. This whole media circus is out of control. They use a photograph of Trayvon when he was 12 years old and they altered a transcript of Mr. Zimmerman's 9-1-1 call. They call Mr. Zimmerman white, all the while knowing that he is actually Hispanic. President Obama has mixed white background, yet we don't refer to him as a white black man. In short, it is clear from the beginning that there was more to the issue than the fact that Trayvon was dressed in a hoodie, purchased Skittles and iced tea. Whatever the calls may have been, Trayvon was beating Zimmerman, smashing his head into the concrete, and there's little reason to suggest that the conflict was racially motivated. Zimmerman has protested in support of another African American shooting victim. In short, the media wants to stir up racial division. Since the time of this incident, there have been calls to arrest and even kill Zimmerman. This is not right. While I generally support this resolution, nevertheless Florida African American Representative Allen West stated, quote, I don't think that anyone should be using this tragedy to push an idealogical agenda to include anti-gun lobbying. And he went on to say, I am not an investigator and I do not see -we all need to see what comes out of the investigation and let it materialize, end quote. I agree with Representative West's views. We should seek justice. Thank you for your attention, and God bless America. (Applause.)

Okay. We want to make a statement. Resolution 120254, which references the homeless that calls for a public hearing, will not be running today. There will not be a vote on the resolution. Under the rules of Council, I am authorized as Council President to stop the public comment as it relates to repetitious comments on a particular resolution. If this bill or resolution was running today, I probably wouldn't do what I'm prepared to do, but because there will be an opportunity to speak on this again if it runs next week based on Councilperson Blackwell's willingness to bring it up for a vote, there will be another opportunity. So under the rules, I'm going 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING to stop the public comment on this particular resolution. You will have another opportunity, but we must conduct business, and under the rules of Council as it relates to the requirement by the Supreme Court, we are authorized to cut off public comment on this matter. If there's anyone else to testify on any other resolution or bill relating to another matter on the Final Passage, they can do so now, but as it relates to this, we get your point. You will have another opportunity. So thank you very much. Thank you for coming down today. Members, thank you for your patience. Right now we'll be considering the resolutions and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. The Clerk will please read the title of Resolution No. 120118 -- I'm sorry. That's being held by Councilmember Johnson. Mr. Decker, please read the 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING title of Resolution 120219.

A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Philadelphia, 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 Fifty-Second Ward of the City of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilwoman Blackwell.

Thank you. Councilwoman, I believe you wanted to make a motion on this particular resolution.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Resolution No. 120219 be withdrawn. (Duly seconded.)

It's been moved and seconded. 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Those in favor? (Aye.)

Those opposed? (No response.)

The ayes have it. Resolution 120219 is withdrawn. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Green.

Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to ask to be excused for the remainder of Council on Council business and be recorded as voting aye on all motions to suspend the rules, all resolutions and all bills.

Thank you, Councilman. Leave is granted.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution 120150.

A resolution approving the redevelopment contract and 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING disposition supplement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Center City Redevelopment Area, designated at Parcel No. 46 and also sometimes identified by house number and street address as 2017 through 2023 Chestnut Street.