Lisa Hastings, commenting on 190636-A. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon. Stated Meeting November 21, 2019
Hi. My name is Lisa Hastings. I'm a resident of Philadelphia. I'm here to speak in support of Blondell's resolution, and I hope that everyone on City Council who is concerned about the future of the City in any way should support this and take action to make keeping the refinery closure permanent. If possible, pass an emergency zoning change for the site that would go into effect upon change of ownership as a non-fossil fuel industrials/climate mitigation area. That would take care of a lot of the problems and would also allow a lot of flexibility by protecting people in the City and still allow some industrial activity. You could also recommend that the City place itself as a buyer of this site or use eminent domain to take it over, and it's justified as removing a major public hazard. If its use is an oil refinery again or sometimes another Stated Meeting November 21, 2019 large polluting facility, particularly fossil fuel, it will still have the capacity to kill us all. Making the refinery history would allow this city and all of its residents to benefit from eliminating a huge public safety hazard that is hanging like a cloud over all of us, eliminate toxic air pollution that contributes to Philadelphia's unusually high cancer rate, and finally we could stop violating the Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard, which the City has not done. We continually violate it. And it probably won't happen if the refinery reopens. It's the largest stationary source of ozone precursors in the county and one of the largest in the non-attainment area. It would also open up a huge amount of land that can be used productively for renewable energy industries, other industries, and climate mitigation. Simply eliminating it, Stated Meeting November 21, 2019 saying we're getting rid of this fossil fuel alone would be priceless for the City's national and international reputation and will help attract residents, tourists, and future businesses. Thank you.
Before we go to our next witness, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez.
Thank you, Council President. I want to be recorded as voting aye on all bills and resolutions and ask that I be excused.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Leave shall be granted.
David Steinberg, commenting on 190636-A. (Witness approached podium.) Stated Meeting November 21, 2019
Good afternoon. My name is David Steinberg. I was born and raised in Philadelphia. I'm currently a resident of New Jersey. So what am I doing here? I'm part of a group called the Philadelphia Eco-District, and I'd like to present a different future, something that you have not heard before. The Philadelphia Eco-District realizes the refinery closing gives a golden opportunity for large-scale development within the City itself. We created a draft, which we submitted -which we released as a public release back in August, and I'd like to get into some of the specifics of what can be for this site. The effort to develop the refinery site would match or exceed the scope of other visionary development projects in Philadelphia such as the development of the Navy Yard or Drexel Schuylkill Yards development. If we Stated Meeting November 21, 2019 boldly reimagine the City, we will positively influence the quality of life for many generations into the future, just as the decision made by our ancestors, including William Penn, and his visionary Green Country Town effectives today. The following five planning categories represents our framework for development of the refinery site. They're a snapshot of our ongoing effort to imagine this ambitious project undertaking. The boundaries between these categories are dynamic and things can be easily shipped around and changed. This first one, aspirational values so people can live, work, and play there. Create mixed-use residential, retail, recreational, industrial, cultural, and educational uses; public transportation with a convenient access for all residents, bike and pedestrian trails; extend the Fairmount Park into the site, a good way to help remediating Stated Meeting November 21, 2019 it. Number two, remediation, repairing the environmental damage that's already done. Using bioremediation barges, solar aquatics, sponge parks to remediate polluted land and water, soil, and air clean-up suitable for residential use. Number three, restorative, to bring back the land for eco-humanistic use. Understanding the historical nature of the site that once was part of the Indian heritage, we can reuse the oil tank for cleaning water and processing waste from the development and making drinking water aquifer, which serves New Jersey, which is under the refinery. Number four, regenerative, creating an environment that gives back more than it takes. So create a hybrid ecology for the restoration of wetlands, climate change plan for mitigating rising waters. Thank you very much. Stated Meeting November 21, 2019
George Gould, commenting on 190106. (Witness approached podium.)
Thank you. I am here today as a representative of the Philadelphians Against Bed Bags, PHABB, who have worked on a bed bug remediation bill for four years which will require landlords to be financially responsible for and remediate bed bug infestation. As City Council in 2014 passed a resolution saying that bed bugs were a serious issue and, out of that, a task force was created, including landlords, pest control operators, advocates for bed bug treatment. The task force recommended in fact that landlords be financially responsible and remediate bed bugs. We have worked on creating a bill in a process of four years. When we Stated Meeting November 21, 2019 came to Council for the committee hearing, however, we learned that the sponsor introduced an amendment which we believe effectively gutted the bill. The amendment, which now requires the tenant to share the cost of bed bug remediation if the tenant didn't report the infestation within 90 days of moving in. Pest control experts state, and I quote, it is extremely difficult to detect a bed bug infestation early on. Additionally, as it is now, tenants will not report the infestation if they have to pay for remediation. Philadelphia is the most bed bug infested city in the country. There were other amendments put in which we believe seriously undermine the bill. We now have been working with the sponsor, and we have proposed an amendment removing these harmful changes and requiring the landlord to pay the full cost of remediation. The tenant, however, would have clear obligations. Stated Meeting November 21, 2019 They would have to cooperate with the pest control operator and they would be responsible for all of the costs of preparing the unit, including purchasing mattress and box spring encasements and other items as indicated by the licensed pest control operator. This would also include replacing items such as furniture, which the licensed PCO stated need to be done. If the tenant failed to comply, the landlord could perform the work and charge the tenant for the cost of doing it. In accordance with federal housing guidelines, every city and state that has passed a bed bug bill requires the landlord to be fully responsible for the cost of bed bug remediation. We hope that these amendments will come out so we can fully support the bill. Thank you.
There are no Stated Meeting November 21, 2019 11/21/19 - STATED - 2ND READING other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you, Mr. President. When I was reading the bills on Second Reading and Final Passage, I neglected to mention Bill No. 190801 will also be on Second Reading and Final Passage today.
Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. That concludes our public comment session for today. We will now move to our Calendar. Mr. Decker, please call the title of 190920.
A resolution appointing Alexander Balloon to the board of directors of the Philadelphia Land Bank.
The Stated Meeting November 21, 2019 11/21/19 - STATED - 2ND READING Chair recognizes Councilman Henon.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. Resolution 190920 is adopted. Mr. Decker, 190921.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to dispose of certain properties located in the Second Councilmanic District, which will be transferred by the City to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, by conveyance of such properties to the Philadelphia Land Bank. Stated Meeting November 21, 2019 11/21/19 - STATED - 2ND READING
Council President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All those in favor say aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. 190921 has been adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 190636-A.
An ordinance amending Section 3-207 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sale of Fuel Oil," to revise the standards for permissible grades and permissible sulfur content of commercial fuel oil.
This Stated Meeting November 21, 2019 11/21/19 - STATED - 2ND READING bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. Stated Meeting November 21, 2019 11/21/19 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez is voting aye. Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 190802-A.
An ordinance Stated Meeting November 21, 2019 11/21/19 - STATED - 2ND READING establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Mount Vernon Street and North 32nd Street; North 42nd Street and Baring Street.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. Stated Meeting November 21, 2019 11/21/19 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez is voting aye. Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays are Stated Meeting November 21, 2019 11/21/19 - STATED - 2ND READING zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 180969-A.
An ordinance amending Chapter 10-2200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Hate Crimes," to increase the scope of eligible crimes and to provide for additional penalties for criminal conduct motivated by hatred toward certain characteristics of other persons.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman Domb. Stated Meeting November 21, 2019 11/21/19 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez is voting aye. Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Councilman Squilla. Stated Meeting November 21, 2019 11/21/19 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 190749-A.
An ordinance establishing the "Safe Haven Law" by amending Title 10 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Individual Conduct and Activity," by adding a new section prohibiting the possession of weapons at City Recreation Facilities.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll. Stated Meeting November 21, 2019 11/21/19 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman Parker. Stated Meeting November 21, 2019 11/21/19 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez is voting aye. Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Aye. The ayes are 14; the nays are one. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 190600.
An ordinance amending Chapter 9-3400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Energy Conservation," to add a new Section 9-3403, entitled "Building Energy Stated Meeting November 21, 2019 11/21/19 - STATED - 2ND READING Performance Policy," to require owners of certain large buildings to conduct tune-ups of the energy and water systems in such buildings.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. Stated Meeting November 21, 2019 11/21/19 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez is voting aye. Councilwoman Reynolds Brown.
Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays are Stated Meeting November 21, 2019 11/21/19 - STATED - 2ND READING zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 190801.
An ordinance authorizing the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia to own and maintain existing pedestrian-scale street lights at 4514 through 22 Woodland Avenue.
This bill has been heard on two separate days. The question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman Stated Meeting November 21, 2019 11/21/19 - STATED - 2ND READING Greenlee.