Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, April 14, 2016 10:50 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE L. BLACKWELL COUNCILMAN ALLAN DOMB COUNCILMAN DEREK S. GREEN COUNCILMAN WILLIAM K. GREENLEE COUNCILWOMAN HELEN GYM COUNCILMAN BOBBY HENON COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILWOMAN CHERELLE L. PARKER COUNCILWOMAN MARIA D. QUINONES-SANCHEZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN AL TAUBENBERGER MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting April 14, 2016
We're going to start now. We have established a quorum. I'd ask all guests and visitors please retire behind the rail. Thank you very much for your cooperation. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes the Reverend Hubert Barnes, Pastor of Star Hope Baptist Church. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Bobby Henon. I would ask all members, guests, and visitors to please rise. (Councilmembers and guests rise.)
Shall we bow our heads in prayer. Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day. We also express our gratitude for this gathering and the Councilmembers and their staffs and their Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 citizens of this great city. We invoke your presence on this occasion, and we pray also for your blessings on the members of this august body. Please grant them your guidance, your direction, your peace, your protection, and your wisdom as they address the plethora of issues before them. We pray in the name of Christ, our Lord. Amen. (Amen.)
Thank you so much, Pastor, for those inspiring words. Appreciate it. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of April 7th, 2016, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee. Stated Meeting April 14, 2016
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, April 7th, 2016 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of April 7th, 2016 stand approved. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the Journal is approved. The next order of business is requests for leaves of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the majority, there are no leaves of absence for today. Stated Meeting April 14, 2016
The Chair thanks the gentleman. And the Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the republicans, there are no requests for leave of absence.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. At this time, I would like to dispense with the regular order of business and I would like to thank everyone who has taken time out of their busy day to come down to witness their government in action. We hope your stay here is a knowledgeable one and also a pleasurable one, so much so that you come back again. So, again, thank you so much for your attendance. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill, who will present a resolution in solemn recognition of the annual remembrance of Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 Martyrs who perished during the Holocaust. Would Sarita Gocial and those accompanying her please join the Councilman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining Councilman O'Neill, we have Councilman Allan Domb.
This is a resolution in solemn recognition of the week of May 1st through May 8th, 2016 as the annual remembrance of the Six Million Jewish Martyrs who perished during the Holocaust. Whereas, over sixty years ago, six million Jews were murdered in the Nazi Holocaust as part of a systemic program of genocide and millions of other people suffered as victims of Nazism; Whereas, the people of the City of Philadelphia should continually rededicate themselves to the principle of equal justice for all people; and Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 Whereas, the people of the City of Philadelphia should remain eternally vigilant against all tyranny and recognize that bigotry provides a breeding ground for tyranny to flourish; and
Whereas, the Memorial Committee for the Six Million Jewish Martyrs has chosen as the theme for this year's Memorial, "Remembering the Past for the Sake of Our Future." This year's ceremony will focus on the continued need for successive generations to remember the Holocaust and will feature poems, readings and music that speak to the theme. We applaud the Committee for the honor they will bestow on the memory of those who perished and on those who survived to build and strengthen life in Philadelphia and other communities; Whereas, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and the Memorial Committee for the Six Million Jewish Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 of Philadelphia and the region to join in the commemoration ceremony on April 17th, 2016 in front of the Holocaust Monument on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Therefore, by virtue of this citation, the Council of the City of Philadelphia does hereby recognize the week of May 1st through May 8th, 2016 as the annual remembrance of the Six Million Jewish Martyrs. We further recognize the horror of the Holocaust and extend to the Memorial Committee the respect and admiration of this legislative body. And this is a true and correct copy of the original resolution, adopted by the Council of the City of Philadelphia on the 7th of April 2016. Signed by the President of City Council, Darrell L. Clarke, co-sponsored by all members of Council. Thank you. Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 (Applause.)
And the Chair recognizes Ms. Gocial for remarks.
Good morning. I am Sarita Gocial, a child of Holocaust survivors and Chair of the Memorial ceremony for the Six Million Jewish Martyrs. Our community will gather once again on Sunday, April 17th at the Monument to the Six Million Jewish Martyrs to remember, honor, and mourn those who were mercilessly annihilated during World War II simply because of their faith. The tragedy of the Holocaust still lives within us. It is incomprehensible to grasp how easily it is to convince people that a group of other people are worthless and should be destroyed. Today, as we remember and mourn the loss of six million of our brothers Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 sisters, mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, we are cognizant that the hatred we see today in the Middle East bears a strong similarity to that which our own people suffered. Today, we see in realtime the terror on the faces of minorities in the senseless slaughter of men, women, and children. We have witnessed the United Nations condemn the State of Israel for defending itself, while it remains silent about the atrocities being perpetrated by terrorists and other terror groups. I remember hearing, "We didn't know." But today we do know. We watch it daily on our televisions. It is hard to believe that the world has not yet learned. As Jews, we have learned the lessons. Here in the Greater Philadelphia area, we are teaching future generations of children of all faiths that it is up to us. We must find ways to live together. We must be tolerant of Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 religions, and we must work together towards peace. The words "never again" were never more applicable. On behalf of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, we are very pleased to be here today. We thank Council President Darrell Clarke, Councilman at-large Allan Domb, and Councilman O'Neill. We are grateful to the City of Philadelphia for continuing to support our efforts, and we invite each of you to join us this Sunday. Thank you. (Applause.)
The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb for remarks.
Thank you, Council President. I just wanted to thank Councilman O'Neill for including me in this resolution, and I'll tell you why. This holds a special place in my Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 heart, because my grandfather came here from Poland, Warsaw in 1921. He was one of nine children. His eight brothers and sisters never made it. They were killed in a concentration camp. So this is a very special resolution. I thank you for including me, and I really think this is great that this is happening. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym, who will present a resolution on Philadelphia Crime Victims' Rights Week. Would Vickie Melvin and those accompanying her please join the Councilwoman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.) Stated Meeting April 14, 2016
And joining Councilwoman Gym, we have Councilman Greenlee, Councilman Jones, Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez, and Councilman Green and Councilman Taubenberger and Councilwoman Blackwell.
Last week I attended a candlelight vigil with hundreds of families impacted by crime in honor of this week, and it recalled to me how important and rare such spaces are to honor and hear the voices of our families. The criminal justice system is not equipped to handle the full range of need for healing and the need for rebuilding of trust and hope for families who experience crime. Every day children witness and live the consequences of violence in our lives and in our city, and families struggle when crimes are committed by those who profess to love us. So we need a public health and restorative justice Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 and communities who suffer and that that approach needs to go beyond the legal definitions of just crime and victim. And that's why we're here to remember, honor, and proclaim this week as Philadelphia Crime Victims' Rights Week. The people beside us, behind us, around us live their lives in the spaces of compassion and healing. They bring professionalism, real science, and public policy understanding to traumatic experiences that none of us are prepared to deal with. They help us hear a vision, a purpose, hope, and change in the voices of victims. And I wanted to honor them this week and Council honors them this week with this resolution. I want to introduce my fellow colleague Councilman Curtis Jones, who is Chair of the Committee on Public Safety and the Governor's appointee to the Pennsylvania Crime and Delinquency Commission. Stated Meeting April 14, 2016
Thank you, Councilwoman, and to all of our members on Public Safety who take on this arduous task of balancing the scales of justice to remember the victims. It doesn't take much for any of us -- in my case, I was 16 years old on my way to what was called a social. It's a party. And we were walking down Upland Way in my neighborhood, and out of a driveway came a gunman, shot into the crowd. I had my arm around the young lady's waist, and it killed her dead. I was 16 years old. Back then it was not vogue to get counseling. So as a young man, I internalized it the way and processed it the way I did. I wound up not going to school for half a year, did a little bit of self-medicating, if you know what I mean, and to this day I do not walk under an umbrella with a young lady ever. Multiply that by everyone in this room who knows a victim and knows Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 by crime and we realize that we have to have things like Councilman Johnson's hearing, we have to have rapid response teams that go out and deal with trauma of victims. Councilman Johnson's hearing pointed out that the retaliation often starts right in the hospital room of the grieving. And if we understand the anatomy of it, we can begin to treat it. So, therefore, we honor victims and we want to do more, put our money where our mouth is more for them.
Thank you, Councilman. And we thank all of those who are here. And if we could just have a moment of silence to honor those around us who have experienced crime in their lives. (Moment of silence.)
So we thank all of those who are here today for helping our families not only rebuild Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 make us a more deeply compassionate and humane society. With that, so this resolution proclaiming and designating the week of April 10th through 16th, 2016 as "Philadelphia Crime Victims' Rights Week" to encourage citizens to assist crime victims and to increase community awareness and support for the organizations that help crime victims rebuild their lives.
Whereas, National Crime Victims' Rights Week was established in 1981 to promote awareness and support for victims of crime and is sponsored by the Federal Office for Victims of Crime which provides funding to state victim assistance and compensation programs; and Whereas, this year's theme is "Serving Victims. Building Trust. Restoring Hope," recognizing that trust is of particular concern in communities that feel isolated from or invisible to Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 the criminal justice system; and
Whereas, a large proportion of people can expect to become the victim of crime at some point in their lifetime, making crime not a remote or distant issue, but rather one that touches many of our families and communities; and Whereas, in 2015, after a period of significant decline, Philadelphia saw its murder rate climb with 280 murders, a 13 percent increase from 2014; and
Whereas, young people are disproportionately victimized compared to other age groups. Of the national population of 14- to 17-year-olds, over 69 percent had been assaulted, 56 percent had experienced a property victimization (including robbery), 41 percent had been maltreated and 27 percent had been sexually victimized at some point in their Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 lifetime; and
Whereas, crimes such as domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse affect survivors in the most intimate aspects of their lives; and Whereas, according to the National Center for Victims of Crime, 25 percent of the crime victims experienced lifetime PTSD and 23 percent of the family members of homicide victims also develop PTSD at some point in their lives; Whereas, too often, factors such as language, culture, sexual orientation or gender identity, age, disability or social isolation may prevent victims from seeking and receiving help; and
Whereas, Philadelphia has taken steps through its Sanctuary City Policy to extend protections to undocumented immigrants, including those who are victims and Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 crimes, so that there is no need to fear that a call to the police for assistance will result in deportation. Additionally, the Department of Justice has launched a new initiative this year to reduce language barriers for underserved victims throughout the nation through training and technical assistance for victim service providers and allied professionals;
Whereas, Philadelphia's network of victim advocacy organizations provide crucial services to crime victims throughout the City, often employing culturally sensitive and trauma-informed practices to ensure that victims have appropriate care and support at their time of greatest need; and
Whereas, victims of crime living in the City of Philadelphia may receive compensation through the Victims Compensation Assistance Program, which is Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 Commission on Crime and Delinquency. VCAP aids victims of crime by helping cover their medical, counseling and travel expenses, as well as the loss of their earnings and support; and
Whereas, rallies, candlelight vigils and a host of commemorative activities are held each year to promote victims' rights and to honor crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf; now, therefore, be it Resolved, by the Council of the City of Philadelphia, that the week of April 10th through 16th, 2016 will be recognized as "Philadelphia Crime Victims' Rights Week" to encourage citizens to assist crime victims and to increase community awareness and support for the organizations that help crime victims rebuild their lives. (Applause.)
Thank you, Councilman Clarke. Thank you, Council. Thank you, Councilman Jones and also Councilwoman Helen Gym, for introducing this resolution and helping us bring awareness to National Crime Victims' Rights Week and declaring this week "Philadelphia Crime Victims' Rights Week." The Philadelphia Coalition for Victim Advocacy consists of agencies and individuals united for the purpose of securing and promoting the rights of crime victims in the City of Philadelphia. Since its inception in 1980, we have worked tirelessly to make the criminal justice system more responsive to the rights of victims and witnesses throughout community -- through community education, policy and legislative recommendations, and by identifying gaps in existing services. Many of our members provide Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 services, assistance in navigating the criminal justice system, and crisis intervention, as well as providing an arena for victims to voice their concerns and helping to end the cycle of violence in our communities through education and advocacy. All victims must have the ability to access services when they need them. Our continued outreach and responses must evolve to ensure that services are culturally relevant and that we collaborate across agencies and organizations to lessen the burden on victims. It is critical that we are flexible and open to new approaches to reach those most in need. Again, thank you so much, and we really appreciate the Council's willingness to stand with us to end this effort. (Applause.)
Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you very much. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez, who will present a resolution recognizing Community Legal Services. Would Deborah Freedman and those accompanying her please join the Councilwoman at the podium. (Councilmembers and guests approached podium.)
And joining the Councilwoman, we have Councilman Greenlee and Councilman Johnson.
It is so appropriate following the recognition of national victims services that we continue on the theme of social justice and folks who work to help some of the most vulnerable constituencies in the Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 are represented. All of us here in Council and some of us in our previous lives who have done advocacy work at one point or another have interfaced with Community Legal Services. And why? Because they are our social justice advocates. They work with us. They strongly advocate with us and sometimes against us to do the right thing by the citizens of Philadelphia. As we talk about criminal justice reform, everyone recognizes the critical work that Community Legal Services and the lawyers in social justice have done around expungement clinics. And in fact, they've had to open up a courtroom because that has been extremely effective. So whether we're talking about mortgage foreclosures and predatory lending, whether we're talking about water affordability, whatever the issue is, we can count on the expertise Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 these -- and the dedication of the people that join us this morning. And when you hit a 50 anniversary milestone, it is an opportunity for all of us to come together and really say thank you, gracias. The sensitivity to language access, the sensitivity to the location and the challenges that a city like Philadelphia with such deep poverty faces, when folks feel like they have no hope, it is the people behind us that generate that hope. When we feel we can't break down the bureaucracy, it is the people behind us that show us that they can. And when we can't get it right here, it is these people that go to the courts and protect the most vulnerable constituency. So I'm very proud to be joined by Councilman Kenyatta Johnson. As we were talking last week in Council during the budget sessions, he says, I count on Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 Greenlee and I who have worked on deed fraud and other things, we all appreciate the work that everyone does here. So recognizing and congratulating and honoring Community Legal Services' family on its 50th Anniversary. Whereas, the dedicated staff members at Community Legal Services fight for the most vulnerable people in our City, including children, the elderly, immigrants and people with disabilities, bringing power to the powerless in their quest for justice; and Whereas, for 50 years, Community Legal Services has opened its doors to low-income Philadelphians in need, helping more than one million residents who would have otherwise faced devastating consequences such as eviction, foreclosure and loss of employment; and Stated Meeting April 14, 2016
Whereas, Community Legal Services stands up for thousands of Philadelphians each year, preventing homelessness, reuniting families, breaking down barriers and keeping our residents healthy and our City safe; and Whereas, Community Legal Services is recognized as one of the premier legal service programs in the nation; and Whereas, Community Legal Services does incredible work to close the justice gap, changing lives and helping our entire community by ensuring that excellent lawyers aren't only available to those who can afford them; and
Whereas, Community Legal Services brings millions of dollars into the City; expands access to health insurance for the uninsured; keeps low-income people in their homes with the utilities turned on; prevents Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 benefits like Social Security, Food Stamps, SSI and welfare assistance; protects the rights of the elderly and has pioneered the elimination of employment barriers such as criminal records; and Whereas, Community Legal Services reduces strain on City resources and helps people become self-reliant by helping people get jobs, collect the wages they are owed and access to benefits they are entitled to; and Whereas, Community Legal Services has been a vital resource and a frequent partner to the Philadelphia City Council, working to help our city thrive, make water affordable, give people a fair chance at finding a job, fight wage theft, prevent eviction and ensure that landlords cannot raise the rent without proper notice, save homes, help prevent lead poisoning of children, ensure that the City is safer and make Philadelphia a better place to live; and Stated Meeting April 14, 2016
That is why I'm going to join Councilman Greenlee in making sure that we restore and expand the funding of Community Legal Services. That's not on the resolution, but... (Applause.)
Therefore, be it resolved, that the Council of the City of Philadelphia hereby recognizes, congratulates, and honors the 50 years of excellent work and dedicated community service Community Legal Services has given to our community -- to our City and our community. Further be it resolved, that an engrossed copy of this resolution will be presented to Community Legal Services as evidence of our sincere respect and admiration. I have never learned so much from such a dedicated group of people. Thank you. Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 (Applause.)
And the Chair recognizes Ms. Freedman for remarks.
You can tell our staff loves to be in City Council. I am Debbie Freedman. I'm the Executive Director of Community Legal Services. First, and most importantly, I want to say thank you. We are extremely honored to receive this recognition from City Council. We have been very lucky to work with Councilmembers on many projects over these 50 years, both here in these Chambers and throughout our great City. We are grateful to have had those opportunities to collaborate and to work for justice. We also deeply appreciate your leadership on behalf of low-income Philadelphians. I want to say a special thanks to President Clarke, to Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez, Councilman Johnson, Councilman Greenlee, who have been Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 clients. Finally, I want to say to you, the leaders of our City, that CLS will continue to fight for justice for low-income Philadelphians. It is our mission, our passion, and our privilege. We look forward to another 50 years as partners in justice for Philadelphia. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you. The next order of business is communications. The Chair requests that the Sergeant-of-Arms delivers the messages from the Mayor to the Chief Clerk. Mr. Decker, please read those messages.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 Philadelphia, I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the West Fairhill/East Tioga/ Hunting Park Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 809 West Tioga Street; and A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the West Fairhill/East Tioga/ Hunting Park Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 3110 North Percy Street; and A resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 1517 North 33rd Street; and An ordinance amending Section 19-1701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Tax Review Board," by providing a limited exception to the requirement that all hearings be public, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you. Do you have any additional communications, Mr. Decker?
Thank you very much. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to recognize two students here from St. Joseph's University. They are political science majors - Tyler Jackson, sophomore, and Candace Hightower, sophomore in economics. Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 and welcome them. (Applause.)
They are working with Councilwoman Brown this time and was introducing them because St. Joe's is in the district. She yielded and asked me to take care of that, so I did.
Thank you, Councilman. And welcome. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Taubenberger.
Thank you, Council President. I would like to acknowledge a special guest who is in Chambers this morning, someone who has worked with me very closely. As you know, I was at the Northeast Philadelphia Chamber for 23 years. Dorothy Friel and her husband, Pat, are here today. She worked at the Northeast Chamber of Commerce for over 30 years, helping Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 working on the countless problems that sometimes happen with small business. I appreciate your acknowledge of her presence today. Thank you.
Welcome. Thank you for coming down. Appreciate your great work. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
Thank you very much, Council President. Two weeks ago this Council passed a historic resolution honoring Jackie Robinson, a man who not only changed -- who changed the face of American sports and culture, and in that resolution, we also apologized for the virulent racism he had experienced here in our city. In a recent documentary on his life that aired this week nationally, it Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 we are the first city to have done so in this country. To mark Jackie Robinson Day, which takes place tomorrow, I wanted to welcome this morning eight Jackie Robinson Foundation scholars and alumni, men and women who have received highly competitive scholarships from the Jackie Robinson Foundation, and welcome them here in our Council. If we could just have them stand up, as well as members of the Board -(Applause.)
-- of the business association. I wanted to just note the Board of the business association, West Parkside, and a representative from the Jackie Robinson Foundation in New York. But these scholars - John Bernagene, Melissa Bellerjeau, Icee Etheridge, Maisha Mayazi, James Johnson, Rolanda Johnson, Ryema Nodam (ph), Andel Dallar (ph) - are all scholars and wonderful Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 know this history and his legacy continues today. The Jackie Robinson Foundation is an organization whose goal is to continue Robinson's commitment to equal opportunity by addressing the achievement gap in higher education. It's a wonderful institution, and for over 40 years the Foundation has advanced its mission by awarding scholarships to outstanding high school graduates who attend four-year colleges and universities. So the amazing scholars and alumni are also -- just needed to acknowledge Mr. Damian Travier, Director of Programs at the Jackie Robinson Foundation, and encourage all my colleagues and everyone in attendance to join the celebration tomorrow at the Philadelphia Stars Negro League Memorial Park at Belmont and Parkside to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day to present a citation, and we'll be doing photos in Council afterwards at the close of Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 Chambers. Thank you very much, Mr. President.
Thank you. Welcome again. Thank you. At this time, the next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Good morning, Mr. President. I offer one privileged resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring Kathy Black on the Occasion of Her Retirement from AFSCME District Council 47.
And that resolution will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Blackwell. Stated Meeting April 14, 2016
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I have no bills or resolutions.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I offer two resolutions.
A non-privileged resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Twenty-Eight Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
And Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 1507 Frankford Avenue.
That will also be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 an area bounded by Ridge Avenue, Hermit Street, Henry Avenue, and Lincoln Drive.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Twenty-Eighth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
That will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
Thank you, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
An ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Carpenter Street, Broad Street, Washington Avenue, and 15th Street.
And an ordinance naming and designating an addition to the Marian Anderson Recreation Center, located at the corner of 17th and Fitzwater Streets, "The Ryan Howard Training Center." Stated Meeting April 14, 2016
And an ordinance amending Section 14-518 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "/WWA, West Washington Avenue Overlay District," by adding additional standards and making related changes.
And that will also be referred to committee. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have two non-privileged resolutions co-sponsored by Councilman Jones, Blackwell, Parker, Johnson, Bass, Oh, Reynolds Brown, Derek Green, Allan Domb, and Helen Gym. Thank you.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development to Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 conduct hearings to examine the inclusiveness, transparency and efficiency of the City of Philadelphia's processes for the procurement of professional services, capital programs and commodities.
And a non-privileged resolution approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the West Fairhill/East Tioga/ Hunting Park Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 809 West Tioga Street.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. And the Chair now recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council President. I have no bills or Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. No bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Domb.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have three privileged resolutions today.
A privileged resolution honoring and remembering the late Ed Snider, co-founder and owner of the Philadelphia Flyers for nearly 50 years who passed away Monday, April 11, 2016 at the age of 38 after a long battle with bladder cancer. Stated Meeting April 14, 2016
And a privileged resolution recognizing the month of April as Financial Literacy Month in the City of Philadelphia and authorizing the Joint Committees on Children and Youth and Education to hold hearings in order to discuss the issue of financial literacy amongst Philadelphia's youth and the possibility of implementing financial literacy classes in Philadelphia's public schools.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution Acknowledging and Recognizing the American Jewish Committee for their Mayors United Against Anti-Semitism Initiative and commending Mayor James F. Kenney for his support of this initiative by adding his name to the list of more than 300 U.S. Mayors and municipal Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 leaders from 48 states and the District of Columbia who have supported this important initiative.
And that will also be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
Thank you, Council President. No bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Taubenberger.
Thank you, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions today.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have no bills or Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 resolutions.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I have one bill, one non-privileged resolution, and one privileged resolution.
An ordinance amending Section 9-703 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Special Assembly Occupancies," by further providing for types of activity to be regulated and by altering the fees and requirements for a Special Assembly Occupancy license.
That will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar. I'm sorry. That's a bill, and that will be referred to committee. Stated Meeting April 14, 2016
And a privileged resolution authorizing the -- a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to convey to the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development, all or part of a parcel of land located in the area bounded by Buttonwood Street, North 10th Street, Hamilton Street, Ridge Avenue and North 11th Street, for further conveyance.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution calling for the installation of a City Historic Marker in front of the Quaker Meetinghouse at 4th and Arch Streets and for the dedication of this marker to occur during the Democratic National Convention.
And that will be on next week's Final Passage Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 Calendar. Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
An ordinance amending Chapter 15-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Parks and Playgrounds," by adding a new section requiring all parks or playgrounds owned or controlled by the City to be more inclusive, inter-generational and family-friendly and provide equipment and play or fitness opportunities to accommodate children and adults with special needs.
Thank you. That will be referred to committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 Council President. I offer one non-privileged resolution co-sponsored by Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, and I appreciate her allowing me to introduce this in her district, and four privileged resolutions co-sponsored by Councilmembers Jones, Gym, Squilla, Domb, and Quinones-Sanchez. Thank you.
A privileged resolution Commemorating the Unveiling of a Statue of Corporal Michael J. Crescenz, Philadelphia's Only Medal of Honor Recipient of the Vietnam War.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution Recognizing and Honoring Herman Frazier for His Gold Medal Career in Track and Field and Athletic Administration.
This Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a privileged resolution recognizing May 2016 as Asian American and Pacific Islanders Heritage Month in Philadelphia to celebrate and commemorate the proud heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and their invaluable contributions to enhancing the City's culture, economy, and the founding ideals of independence and democracy.
And a privileged resolution honoring and recognizing San Mateo Carnavalero for the 10th Anniversary of the Festival del Carnaval de Puebla in Philadelphia.
And that will be on this week's Final Passage Calendar.
And a non-privileged resolution also naming the 3600 block of Hamilton Street "Im-Ho Oh Memorial Way" to honor the memory of Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 recognize his life and memorialize his lasting legacy.
Thank you. That will be on next week's Final Passage Calendar. That concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions. Our next order of business is reports from committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown for a report from the Committee of the Environment.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be -- forgive me. The Committee on the Environment reports one bill out of committee.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on the Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 Environment, to which was referred Bill No. 160110, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 17-600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Procurement Price Preferences,' by adding a preference for alternatives to expanded polystyrene, under certain terms and conditions," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 160110. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 2ND READING first reading this day of Bill No. 160110. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that bill will be placed on our First Reading Calendar today. That concludes our reports from committee, and the next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bill just reported from committee with suspension of the rules has been deemed to have had a first reading. It will be on our Second Reading and Final Passage on our next session of Council. As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilman Henon for the purpose of calling up -- he is not here. Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 The Chair recognizes Councilman Greenlee for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on today's Calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 160282, 160285, 160293, 160018-AA, 160013, 160202, and 160113. All other resolutions and bills are being held.
Thank you very much, Councilman. Before considering these bills and resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar today, we will have our public comment session. It will go as follows: If you are interested in testifying on a bill or resolution that is on the Final Passage Calendar today, I'd ask, if you have not already done so, sign up at the table to my left. When your name is called, you will be given an opportunity to go to the Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 middle of the Chamber at the podium. There's a device on that podium. It has a light. When the light is green, it will be your time to speak. When the light is yellow, you have 30 seconds to conclude your remarks. When the light turns red, we really appreciate you adhering to the guidelines and conclude your remarks. Thank you very much for your cooperation. And, Mr. Decker, when you get a chance, please read the name on the list.
Joe Danihel, commenting on 160256 and 160282. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, sir. I do hope that you don't try to mute my comments again. Council is an agent and agency designed solely to serve the people. How can you serve the people if you restrict public comment or complaints for Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 assistance? Can the Fire Department refuse to take 911 calls?
Yeah, I'm speaking on a resolution, if you'll give me a chance to comment, but like I said in the beginning, why are you restricting comments on any bills?
You need to understand what we're complaining about in order to act upon us.
Holding departments responsible for titles that have been transferred without due process, illegally, requires Council, the District Attorney to take action. This Council still every week for over six months now transfers property to the Redevelopment Authority even though it Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 has been duly notified of unconstitutional activities. Has an investigation been conducted? Does the Council care? Obviously not. I am sure if one of your relatives had their property rights taken, there would be hell to pay. I am sure they wouldn't have to wait 22 years like me for no trial to be allowed and to be opposed by the Council's attorneys. Auditing the District Attorney and the Redevelopment Authority is next. This Council could resolve this problem and end this injustice. Paul Robeson is quoted, The answer to injustice is not to silence the critic -- or not allow the people to speak -- but to end the injustice. The ball is in your court, Councilman.
Thank you very much for your testimony, sir. Mr. Decker, do you have any Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 4/14/16 - STATED - 2ND READING additional names?
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you very much. We will now move to our Calendar. And, Mr. Decker, if you can read the title of 160282.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, without consideration, deeds conveying conditional fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon, situate in the Twenty-Eighth Ward of the City of Philadelphia.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move the adoption of the resolution. Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 4/14/16 - STATED - 2ND READING (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution 160282 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 160285.
A resolution also naming the 2700 block of Wharton Street "Kevin Hannah Way" to honor the memory of Kevin Hannah and to recognize his life and memorialize his lasting legacy.
Council President, I am so very proud to adopt the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 4/14/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Thank you, Councilman. It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution 160285 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 160293.
A resolution welcoming and encouraging PayPal and other businesses that support Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA) to relocate to Philadelphia, a City that has always been on the forefront of non-discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 4/14/16 - STATED - 2ND READING Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and Resolution 160293 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 160018-AA.
An ordinance amending Chapter 9-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Landlord and Tenant - Rent Control," by requiring that tenants of certain multi-family buildings be provided with a written disclosure of the building policy on smoking in individual dwelling units. Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 4/14/16 - STATED - 2ND READING
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman Johnson. Stated Meeting April 14, 2016 4/14/16 - STATED - 2ND READING