Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I would like to offer an amendment to Resolution 120150. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council, and I move for the adoption of the amendment. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
Those opposed? 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)
The ayes have it. Resolution No. 120150 is amended and will be placed on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell -- I'm sorry, recognizes Mr. Decker. Please read the title of Resolution 120255.
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 Sixth, Twenty-Fourth, Forty-Fourth and Fifty-First Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell. 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 120255 is adopted. Mr. Decker, Resolution 120256.
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 Fifty-First Ward of the 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING City of Philadelphia.
Thank you very much. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 120256 is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution 120257.
A resolution 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING 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 Fourteenth and Sixteenth Wards of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 120257 is 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted. Mr. Decker, 120258.
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 South Central Urban Renewal Area, designated as Parcel Nos. 249 and 250 and also sometimes identified by house numbers and street addresses as 760 South Sixteenth Street and 764 South Sixteenth Street.
Mr. President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it. 120258 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 259.
A resolution authorizing City Council's Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities to hold hearings to examine the status of the Sunoco refinery in South Philadelphia.
Mr. President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it. Resolution 120259 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 261.
A resolution calling for justice in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin and standing in solidarity and support of the family of Trayvon Martin.
I thank you, Mr. President. I move for a motion. I would like to speak briefly, if I may, on this resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. Martin Luther King said it best. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Today we are now reminded that our justice system still works. Mr. George Zimmerman was arrested 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING yesterday and charged with second-degree murder in the death of Trayvon Martin. On this important day, I ask for the final passage of our resolution extending support to the Martin family in particular and all families across America who seek justice. Citizens across this country were outraged by the, what I call, snail, slow pace and reaction of the local police department and prosecutors. Two weeks ago when we introduced this resolution, we did not know whether the family would ever see this day that moves towards justice. We now know that this family will indeed be given their day in court. Now they will be given their constitutional right to seek justice in the death of their son. Now we will all be given the opportunity to find out just what happened on February 26th that led to this unarmed young man with no criminal record being taken from his parents at the age of 17. 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING We do not know what we will hear in court, but we know now that we will hear all the facts. And knowing the facts has been the ask all along. Now the arrest action 45 days later has taken place, and so we must now be patient and allow the process to take its course. I offer kudos to those who protested, attended rallies, spoke up and spoke out about this case, all done under the flag of peace. I was struck by LeBron James and other members of the Miami Heat basketball team who posed in hoodies in a photograph they posted on Twitter, and Congressman Bobby O. Rush, democrat Illinois, even wore a hoodie on the floor of the House saying, and I quote, Just because someone wears a hoodie does not make them a hoodlum. Yesterday Florida State Attorney Angela Corey spoke. She gave us non-lawyers -- and I speak fore myself -a master class 101 in criminal law. I 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING watched her with exceeding admiration. She was precise, she was poised and she was thorough. She made it exceedingly clear that these proceedings are now in the hands of a talented group of high-quality professionals. She captured the voice of families of victims across the country when she stated, and I quote, We only know one category as prosecutors, and that's a V. It's not a B, it's not a W, it's not an H. It's a V for victim. That's who we work for tirelessly, and that's all we know, is justice for our victims. It is not lost on me that we have focused worldwide attention on Florida when we have problems of youth violence in our own backyard right here in Philadelphia. As of January 1, there have been 97 murders in our city, 97 families similarly situated who are hurting, searching for meaning and seeking justice for their young people. These families should know that their 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING pain does not go overlooked, and we need to seize the moment to thank the important work of District Attorney Seth Williams and Commissioner Ramsey and their team of professionals who all day every day work on behalf of our City fighting crime and youth violence. We ask that they would continue to treat similar cases with the urgency and respect they've already demonstrated. Our thoughts go out to the Martin family and all families across the City who lose young people due to violence. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Make your motion again.
It's been moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 120261 has been adopted. (Applause.)
Resolution authorizing City Council's Committee on Public Safety to conduct hearings on how youth courts could reduce juvenile recidivism rates, violence in schools, bullying and in conclusion have an effect on the expenses of incarceration by engaging and empowering previously disconnected youth in a participatory and democratic system.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 120263 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 169-A.
Bill No. 120169-A, entitled "An ordinance authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2012 from the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions and from the Grants Revenue Fund, the Director of Finance - Provision for Other Grants to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions. 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you. This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. The Chief Clerk will please call the roll.
Aye. The ayes are 17; the nays are zero. The bill passes. Mr. Decker, would you please read any additional resolutions on today's Calendar.
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 justice practices to transform individuals and communities, introduced by Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you, Council President. This resolution is co-sponsored by my colleagues Councilwoman Blackwell and Councilwoman 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Blondell Reynolds Brown, and I move for a motion to suspend the rules of Council to allow its final passage. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The rules are suspended. Councilwoman, make a motion on the -
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor of the adoption of the resolution? (Aye.)
4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
And a privileged resolution honoring the memory of Philadelphia Fire Lieutenant Robert P. Neary, introduced by Councilman O'Neill and Council President Clarke.
Mr. President, I move for the adoption of the resolution by a standing vote.
The resolution is adopted. Thank you very much.
And a privileged resolution honoring the memory of Philadelphia Firefighter Daniel J. Sweeney, introduced by Councilman O'Neill 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING and Council President Clarke.
Mr. President, I move for the adoption of the resolution by a standing vote. (All members standing.)
The resolution is adopted. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman.
And a privileged resolution congratulating the Saints John Neumann Goretti 2011 through 2012 Boys Basketball team on winning the Philadelphia Catholic League Championship, District 12 Class AAA City Title, introduced by Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been properly moved and seconded. 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Those in favor? (Aye.)
And 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, introduced by Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.) 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING
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, introduced by Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you, Councilwoman. You requested a suspension of the rules?
Thank you. I'm going to motion for a suspension of the rules and I want to speak briefly before the final vote. A 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING motion for a suspension of the rules. (Duly seconded.)
On Tuesday, April 17th, the Delaware Valley New Priorities Network, which is a coalition of members that include AFSCME 47, Asians United, Brandywine Peace, Coalition of Labor Women, Fight for Philly, Neighborhood Networks, Veterans for Peace and many others, will hold a noontime rally on tax day here in City Hall. This resolution recognizes their call to President Obama to redirect -- to bring our troops home and redirect the funding to those needs outlined in this resolution. I motion for the approval of this resolution.
Let's do the suspension first. Take a vote on the suspension of the rules. Those in favor? 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The rules have been suspended. Now we make a motion.
Thank you. Can I get a second. (Duly seconded.)
That's okay. Eagerness is a good thing. Good thing. It's been moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
Thank you. Just with all due respect to the sponsor, and I respect her views and her efforts, I just have a couple concerns, first of all, that we haven't really had a chance to discuss it at all. I don't want to send any message to anybody that somehow we're not fully supporting those men and women overseas who are serving their country either in the line of battle or in any other station around the world. I don't want to give anything to the opposition who is coming after my President in this election that potentially could be used against him relative to military spending. And I just think that we need a little bit of time maybe to talk about it before we 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING cast a vote. Again, I do recognize the intention and I do recognize my colleague's sincere concern about these issues. I just feel like this is kind of a little bit of thin ice that we may be stepping on that I'd really like to think about for a week, if possible, before we vote on it today. And with all due respect, it was also just circulated this morning. And I know we suspended the rules, but I just have an odd feeling about this particular resolution.
I would like to at least have some time to talk about it for a week. I may not vote for it next week either, but I just -between our folks in harm's way and our President under attack, I just don't want to give them anything to do any further damage. Thank you. 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING
Just for clarity's sake, I completely understand my colleague's perception on this. This by no means says that we should not do what we're doing and giving our troops the resources and everything that they need, but I completely understand his point. The activity is on April 17th, which is why I asked for the call, but I would like to call a vote on it, and if he wants to just abstain, I completely understand. The time sensitivity is that -- I can assure you that that's not the spirit of the resolution. One thing has nothing to do with another. It's about as we begin to break down some of those troops, that we redirect that money to the needs of our citizens here in the United States.
Thank you. I believe a motion was on the 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING floor for adoption. Those in favor? (No response.)
The motion -- it wasn't out of a motion made by Councilman Kenney. There was a motion by you to pass the resolution. So that motion is on the floor. There was not an official motion by you, Councilman Kenney. So there's a motion on the floor. Has it been seconded? (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. Those in favor? (Aye.)
Councilwoman, you want a roll call? 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilman Greenlee.
I think Councilman Kenney made some good points. And I was I think the first one to sign the resolution, but I hesitated for a second because I had the same thoughts. We're making a pretty bold statement here, and not that I necessarily disagree with it, but I think you could tell when we had the vote, there was a lot of hesitation, and I would respectfully suggest or urge Councilwoman Sanchez to maybe hold this so we can just think about it just a little bit, because I think as Councilman Kenney spoke, I think he made some valid points. And if she would so agree. If not, I would make a motion that we hold it for one week.
All 4/12/12 - STATED - 2ND READING right. Before I ask for a vote on the motion, since we have been working in such great spirit and unity, we don't want to break our streak. Let's see if we can get some consensus before we have an adversarial vote. Councilwoman.
I'll hold it and I welcome any language changes to it. Again, I don't think any of us disagree. Some folks may have some issues with the wording, and out of respect for the fact that it was circulated this morning, I'll hold it for one week.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Our streak is still alive. Thank you. Thank you so much.
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. for today. Are there any speeches on behalf of the majority? Councilwoman Tasco.
I don't have a speech. I just have two announcements to make. I remind my colleagues to come into the Council Caucus Room to chat and chew with the members of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority that we honored this morning in Council. And I also want to recognize that the students who are with the Deltas are from the Grover Washington Middle School, which is in the 9th Councilmanic District. My second announcement is that on April 24th, we will have an election, and while this April 24th is not the real focus here in Pennsylvania on the local elections -- people are waiting for November -- there are statewide elections that will be held, and most of our citizens do not know who the candidates various offices of Treasurer, Auditor General and Attorney General. So on Tuesday, April 17th at 7:00 p.m., those of us in the Northwest community will hold a public forum with these three candidates attending at 7:00 p.m. at the West Oak Lane Charter School, which is on Stenton Avenue between Washington Lane and Tulpehocken. It is open to the public, and we ask those who are listening as well as those in this room to attend that public forum, and we will have a discussion on the voter ID, new voter ID law, and there are a lot of questions and we want to make clear that people have an understanding or begin to have an understanding of what that law means to them. So I encourage those who are listening and those in this room to please come out on April 17th, 7 o'clock, West Oak Lane Charter School. It's just a community forum. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Councilwoman. Very important issue. The Chair recognizes Councilman Kenney.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to remind everyone that tomorrow is the official release of the Bully movie, which has been about two years in the making. Councilwoman Brown and myself have been working for about the last over a year in trying to raise money to get it exposed to children, to get teachers and administrators in. So it's at the Ritz East, tomorrow it opens. On your desk are the teaching materials that will be available to teachers and principals to learn how to guide discussion prior to the movie, after the movie and then back in the classroom to try to get a handle on this epidemic of bullying throughout our country. I urge everyone to get the word your best to support the film. It really is a very powerful and compelling piece of work, and I urge everybody to see it if they can. So thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you so much, Councilman. I heard it was a great movie. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. One of the reasons for the resolution this morning for the Mural Arts is in celebration of the restorative justice program. I was glad to co-sponsor the resolution with Councilman Jones about the youth court. We had a very good hearing sponsored by our Education Committee on restorative justice practices in our schools, and it falls in line with what Councilman Kenney was saying about this bullying. There was -- I had a very good our public hearings with the Police Department looking at different ways that we can combat crime, and I think there have been some very effective, proven strategies, restorative justice being one of them, youth courts being another and some other things that we talked about yesterday in terms of public safety. I look forward to, as we do these hearings on the youth court and others, look forward to working with the Administration so that we all who have accepted that we can't arrest ourselves out of some of the current problems, we should definitely be as proactive and ensure that we have the resources to do this so that it is sustainable and that we are exercising best practices and proven practices all across this country. So thank you.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman
Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to remind the public that you have called for public comment hearings in the neighborhoods. I request all members' attendance, and that will be hosted by myself and Councilwoman Bass of the 8th at the Kroc Center, Wednesday, the 18th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and we look forward to public comment so that we can better understand how to prioritize our decision-making on the upcoming budget. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you so much, Councilman. We look forward to that. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Mr. President. Just an FYI, the 2nd Councilmanic District on April the 20th, we will be hosting our first job and committed more than 60 companies. And so just for the actual public and those who can actually hear this actual Council session, I want to put that information out there. So it's our first annual job and career fair, April the 20th, Myers Recreation Center, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and we have more than 60 companies already committed. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. Great information. Any speeches on behalf of the minority? (No response.)
There being none, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brown for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that City Council stand adjourned until Thursday, April 19th, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded that the Council stand adjourned until Thursday, April 19th, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. We are adjourned. Thank you so much. ) CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter on April 12, 2012, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L. ) A activity 136:11 128:14 129:6,22 altered 84:14 annually 19:20 AAA 38:10 acts 53:17 82:17 130:19 137:2 104:16 59:23 129:17 82:18,20 adults 60:7 84:18 alternative 56:18 answer 91:11 abandonment actual 146:3,5 86:20 84:17 answered 47:17 23:21 29:5 Adam 69:22,25 adversarial 139:7 Alumnae 19:25 anti-gun 105:20 ABC 103:23 71:15 75:10 adverse 90:15 amen 4:23,24 anti-poverty 35:4 104:5 add 23:14 advise 22:15 amend 26:7 40:6 anybody 80:3 abhorrent 49:5 addition 13:4 advocacy 59:13 amended 40:16 134:14 ability 75:3,6 additional 53:16 advocate 8:25 111:5 appear 67:6 93:24 94:4 126:9 52:4 amending 23:10 appeared 104:6 98:21 Additionally affect 89:23 94:19 23:13 28:3,5 appears 104:9 able 88:13 100:17 94:17 97:5 34:12,15 40:11 applaud 97:24 abolished 81:16 address 3:12 23:8 Affection 101:24 amendment Applause 14:9 abroad 101:18 31:10 71:16 afford 56:2 110:14,16,18 16:6 21:5,24 absence 6:15,21 110:8 Africa 79:20 America 8:22 48:17 51:20 7:6 addressed 71:18 African 17:21 63:8 106:5 54:17 58:13 Absolutely 32:15 addresses 27:7 105:9,16 118:8 64:6 66:10 68:4 abstain 136:14 115:12 AFSCME 132:9 American 10:15 68:20 69:18 abundance 57:5 adequate 56:20 afternoon 99:22 12:11 17:21 71:14 74:10 abuse 88:20 98:10 afternoons 71:9 105:9,17 76:9 78:23 abusers 60:8 adhere 44:23 45:4 age 118:25 Americans 15:10 81:17 83:7,24 academic 18:7 adjourned 146:24 agencies 35:5 101:21 87:4 91:19 acceptable 85:18 147:5,14,16 agenda 17:4 Amos 95:22 93:16 96:4 accepted 144:15 ADJOURNME...