Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Via Microsoft Teams Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, September 30, 2021 10:16 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN ALLAN DOMB COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN DEREK S. GREEN 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 COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting September 30, 2021
Good morning. Good morning to you all. We're going to get started now, but before we begin today's session, I will make the following announcement: Due to the continuing threat to public health from COVID-19 and the delta variant, City Council is currently meeting remotely. We are using Microsoft Teams to make this remote meeting possible. Instructions for how the public may view the meeting and offer public comment are included in the Stated Meeting notice that was published in the Daily News, Inquirer, and the Legal Intelligencer prior to the meeting, and can also be found on PHLCouncil.com. I now note that the hour has come. The Clerk will please call the roll to take attendance. Members that are in attendance, just indicate that you are present here. Say a couple of words to make sure that your images are displayed on the screen. Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 Decker, please call the roll.
Good morning, Mr. President, colleagues, and the City of Philadelphia. Good morning.
Good morning, Council President, colleagues, and the City of Philadelphia. I'm present.
Good morning, Council President and colleagues and the City of Philadelphia.
Good morning, Council President, colleagues, and the City of Philadelphia. Present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. And good morning to the City of Brotherly and Sisterly Love, the City of Philadelphia.
Okay. Good morning, Council President. Good morning, fellow members of City Council, the tech staff and all the guests. And good morning to the City of Brotherly Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 Effectiveness.
Good morning, Council President, and good morning, colleagues.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. And I'd like to give a very special good morning and thanks to my dear friend, Father Campellone, who has joined us here for today's Council invocation. Thank you, Father.
Good morning, Council President. Good Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 morning, colleagues. Just calling for justice for all the children who have been shot or lost their lives to senseless gun violence here in the City of Philadelphia.
Good morning, Mr. President, colleagues, and viewing public in Philadelphia.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues.
Good morning, Mr. President and colleagues, and good morning to our people here in the City of Philadelphia.
Buenos dias, Council President and my colleagues, during Hispanic Heritage Month. Thank you, all my colleagues, for supporting the community. Gracias.
Good morning, Council President and colleagues. Present.
Good morning, Council President. Good morning, everyone. I'm present.
I am here. And we have clearly established a quorum, so we're going to get started. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Father Joseph Campellone of Father Judge High School. He is here today as the guest of Councilman Henon. I would ask all members and guests to please bow your heads for the invocation.
Thank you, Council President. And I'd also like to thank Councilman Henon for allowing me this privilege. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 God, we ask you to look over the City of Sisterly Affection and Brotherly Love. We ask you to be with this esteemed Council as they represent your people, the people of God. We ask you to give them patience in a time of uneasiness. We ask you to allow them to give their constituents hope in a time of hopelessness. Almighty Father, we ask you to give them the wisdom to work together to bring this city to where it needs to be in the sense of justice, love, and peace. Almighty God, I now heed the words of Saint Mother Teresa, and I ask Council to use these words as they continue to make this city great. People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish and ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years building, someone can destroy overnight. Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they might be jealous. Be happy anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, continue to do that. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give the world the best you got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it's between you and God. It's never between you and them anyway. May God continue to bless you, Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 Council, our leadership, great men and women, as you continue to bring this city to where it needs to be. May almighty God bless and be upon you. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Amen.)
Thank you so much, Father, for that invocation. We really appreciate you being here today. Our next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 23rd, 2021, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal for the meeting of Thursday, September 23rd, 2021 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 23rd, 2021 stand approved. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and our Journal is approved. Our next order of business is requests for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the members of Council, there are no requests for leaves of absence today.
Let the record reflect that Councilman O'Neill is present. Thank you, Councilman. The Chair now recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a motion concerning certain legislative matters that may arise during the course of today's session of Council and that were not listed on the Calendar circulated prior to today's session.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that any of the following matters, if considered today, may be added to the agenda for this session of Council and, as required by law, subsequently published on an Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 agenda after the consideration of those matters: resolutions authorizing hearings, amendments to bills on first reading, the reconsideration of a bill vetoed by or re-called from the Mayor, resolutions taking substantive action to be voted on in this session, a motion to withdraw a bill or resolution that is not on the Calendar, and a motion placing a bill or resolution on or returning a bill or resolution from the Suspension Calendar that is not listed on today's Calendar. The purpose of this motion is to provide the public with notice concerning possible actions by Council that arose too late to be included on the Calendar that was published prior to today's session. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and seconded that the legislative matters stated by Councilwoman Parker may be Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 for today, should those matters arise during the course of the session of Council. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. Thank you all very much. And our next order of business is communications. And, Mr. Decker, will you please read the messages from the Mayor and any other communications that you may have in your possession.
Short and sweet. Thank you very much. And our next order of business is the introduction of bills and Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 resolutions. And by way of a reminder, we are asking that all resolutions, including privileged resolutions, be placed on the Final Passage for the next session of Council, unless they are being referred to committee. In our current remote environment, this procedure will provide the appropriate opportunity for public comment. I want to thank you very much in advance for your anticipated cooperation. Mr. Decker, please read the titles of the legislation that is being offered today by the members.
Certainly, Mr. President. Councilwoman Parker offers two bills and one resolution. On behalf of Council President Clarke, Councilwoman Parker offers an ordinance authorizing the Water Commissioner, on behalf of the City, to enter into an agreement between the City and the Philadelphia Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 Redevelopment Authority for the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to act as the City's agent to include and incorporate Philadelphia Water Department-identified green stormwater infrastructure projects (the "Stormwater Infrastructure") in certain construction and improvement projects in and around the City on properties owned by the City, including, with the prior written consent and approval of the District Council Person where the Rebuild Project is located, those projects arising out of the City's "Rebuilding Community Infrastructure" or "Rebuild" Program, and on properties owned by the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority from the design phase to construction completion in an efficient manner.
And on her own behalf, an ordinance amending Title 22 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Public Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 Employees Retirement Code," by codifying the Pension Board's preexisting policy and practice to perform an annual stress test of the Retirement System in accordance with industry standards.
And a resolution supporting the workers of the Department of Homeland Security contractor Triple Canopy in their reasonable demands for improved working conditions, particularly their protection from hair discrimination.
Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, today I'm proud to be joined by Councilmembers Katherine Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 Gilmore Richardson, Kenyatta Johnson, Kendra Brooks, Bobby Henon, Derek Green, Helen Gym, Allan Domb, Maria Quinones-Sanchez, and Isaiah Thomas in introducing this resolution supporting federal armed security guards who believe they have been discriminated against by Triple Canopy based on race and religion. These security guards say that this firm, Mr. President, this federal contractor, Triple Canopy, is promoting an atmosphere of harassment by demanding workers prove their religion and chronic medical conditions every four months in order to keep their facial hair. Now, on March 12th, 2020, with the first COVID shutdown breathing down our necks, I was proud, very proud, Mr. President, to join with our colleagues in this body in introducing legislation that has effectively become known as the local version of the CROWN Act. Now, for those Philadelphians Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 who are watching who are saying what is the CROWN Act, CROWN is an acronym that stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair. Bill No. 200252, in essence, amended the Code to clarify that unlawful discrimination on the basis of race includes discrimination based on characteristics that are commonly associated with race, such as hair texture and hairstyles. Now, this legislation bans hair discrimination in housing, employment, school, competitive sports, and beyond, and when this bill passed in the fall of 2020, Philadelphia became the first city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to adopt such a law and we joined a growing list of states and other jurisdictions that have either introduced or adopted legislation banning hair discrimination. Now, these men must receive the same protections and must not be subjected to the discrimination that they Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 are enduring while working for this firm, Triple Canopy. They cannot and should not be written up and ultimately terminated from employment simply for exercising religious freedoms that all should be accorded. Many of these gentlemen are veterans who have served their country heroically and many of these gentlemen have served on the front lines of this pandemic to ensure that our government can properly function. They have endured mistreatment, yet they continue to demonstrate their patriotism by holding up their duty to protect federal agencies. And despite their sacrifice, Mr. President, they are subjected to these discriminatory practices. So the resistance -- and Councilmember Isaiah Thomas and I joined these workers last week in protest of this alleged discrimination and just noted that it should not be happening at Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 the municipal level. S. Representative Dwight Evans, he is a part of a coalition pushing to make this legislation a reality at the federal level. I also want to note for the record that our colleagues in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton in the House and our Senate Appropriations Chairman Vincent Hughes, they are supporting similar legislation at the state level. Finally, Mr. President, I want to say that this fight is about more than just hair for someone who reduces this as a conversation about hair. I don't care whether it's on our head or on our face, it's about our culture and it's about our religion. As a District Councilperson, I have the great honor and privilege of representing one of the largest Muslim Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 congregations in our city at Masjidullah.
This is about us accepting who we are and loving who we are, and no one should face discrimination because they are comfortable in their own skin and/or religion and/or may have a medical condition and they simply choose to identify how they want to identify. If this firm, Triple Canopy, was only treating their employees unfairly via harsh working conditions, which quite frankly they are, we would still be here today talking about this issue, but the fact that they are discriminating against some employees based on their facial hairstyle has made this fight incredibly personal to me. They are violating Philadelphia law, and they are violating a law that I, along with our colleagues here in this body, we worked hard to get passed. We used this platform to shine a light on this firm in the hopes that they will do right by the men and women Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 who work for them to keep our federal buildings safe. I stand with the workers, and I'm here to show my support for them in their fight. Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you, colleagues.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Yes. Thank you, Mr. President. I want to thank my colleague for moving this issue forward. I want to be recorded as supporting this resolution. Obviously last week I was somewhat preoccupied with personal matters, but I want to go on the record to support it, and only ask that has this also been filed with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission as an issue as well, for which I am a Commissioner. I would recuse myself if I needed to, but I sure hope that it's on that body's radar too. This is a serious Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 issue.
Thank you. We will determine that, your ability to be voting on that particular issue based on your membership of that body, by next week, and then we'll make that known. And then being able to recuse for a particular legislative matter, as you know, you have to forward the basis for the recusal. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilwoman Gauthier, did you want to be recognized on this issue?
Thank you, Council President. I wanted to be on record as supporting this as well. I meant to say that I wanted to co-sponsor it, and I think it's a really important issue and was glad to stand with the workers of Triple Canopy this morning as they stood against this discrimination. And so thank you so much, Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 Majority Leader Parker, for putting this resolution forward.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman. As said before, that will be on next week's Calendar. Mr. Decker.
Councilwoman Gauthier -- I'm sorry; Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson offers three resolutions, entitled a "Resolution recognizing Wednesday, October 6, 2021, as Energy Efficiency Day in the City of Philadelphia."
And a resolution recognizing and congratulating Erin O'Brien-Hofmann for receiving a 2021 Tradeswomen Heroes Award from the National Association of Building Trades Unions.
Next week's Calendar. Stated Meeting September 30, 2021
And a resolution joining Mural Arts Philadelphia in celebrating October as Mural Arts Month in Philadelphia.
Councilwoman Gym offers two resolutions, entitled a "Resolution authorizing the City Council Committees on Children & Youth and Education to hold public hearings on the search and hiring process for the next Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia, and the role that the perspectives of families, students, teachers, school administrators, paraprofessionals, support staff, and community members must play throughout the search process." Mr. President, Councilwoman Gym --
Councilwoman, did you need to be recognized on this or your Haitian Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 resolution?
I'm going to be very brief on this one, Council President, if I may.
Thank you so much. So I will reserve my comments about the substance of the resolution until a later time, but I did want to inform my colleagues that out of respect for requests that were made by the Chair of the Education Committee, we're going to hold the vote on this resolution. We had to introduce it, but we're going to hold the vote on it and will not move the vote forward today.
Okay. We just won't proceed with the resolution today then. Because it's a request for a hearing, it traditionally requires a vote on that particular day, according to our rules. So we'll just hold that today. Go ahead, Mr. -- Stated Meeting September 30, 2021
Okay. I thought Mr. Decker said that we could -well, anyway, I'm fine either way, but we just wanted to make that clear.
If we're not going to vote for a hearing request, then we might as well just hold the resolution.
And a resolution condemning the inhumane treatment of Haitian migrants at the border and urging the Biden administration to immediately suspend all deportations of Haitians, expedite the release of Haitian immigrants held in U.S. immigration facilities, uphold the right to seek asylum, and ensure a clean pathway to citizenship for essential workers, Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 holders, and their families in all economic recovery legislation including through budget reconciliation.
Thank you so much, Council President. First, I want to acknowledge the leadership of my co-introducer for this resolution, Councilmember Johnson, and thank the co-sponsors of this resolution, Councilmembers Quinones-Sanchez, Green, Parker, Gilmore Richardson, Gauthier, Brooks, Domb, Thomas, and Jones. This week alone there were two demonstrations by -- demonstrating the power and breadth of the Haitian community that lives here in Philadelphia, that has brought vibrancy to our neighborhoods and communities, and have long been economic drivers here in our city. There's no question that the Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 shocking abuse that we witnessed over the past few weeks mobilized people to action and reminded us once again that the United States' central failure to pass immigration reform -- and failing to do it for more than 35 years, more than 35 years; more than three decades have passed since a massive effort at citizenship expansion has occurred in our city -- has not only dragged down the -has not only harmed the lives and the rights of migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, and immigrants, but has violated the central principles of what it means to be an American. Seeking asylum is legal, period. The treatment of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border has been inhumane and deplorable for decades, and what we saw from the shocking abuse of Haitian migrants at our border has also its roots in decades of failure and in particular the targeting of Haitian migrants and immigrants for decades. Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 There should be no question that Haitian migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. have faced repeatedly inhumane and unequal treatment. They were falsely reclassified as economic migrants rather than refugees in the 1970s to deny them the right to seek asylum in the U.S. They suffered detention in Guantanamo Bay during the 1990s, and there have been many more abuses to an important, important global neighbor of the U.S. What is particularly egregious is that the Biden administration has been deploying a tactic utilized by the Trump administration that has just made no sense, as is the Title 42 policy, talking about COVID virus. And under that pretext, they have thus moved to expel all migrants, 14,000 of them, from an encampment, deporting over 2,000 Haitians and many more into detention centers for processing. And UNICEF estimates that over two-thirds of those deported Haitian Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 migrants are women and children, including newborn infants. So there's no question why the Haitian community and other communities across the City joined together this week to demand an absolute end to the abusive and inhumane treatment of Haitian migrants at the border. But we are very clear. Now is the time for the U.S. to push on a clean pathway to citizenship. We have 11 million undocumented workers in the United States. We've got many more here in the City of Philadelphia and across the State of Pennsylvania. Our city's future, our state's future, and our nation's future relies on humanity and common sense and a purposeful path towards citizenship for all. And we'll be moving this resolution forward. And I thank you for the opportunity to make those remarks. Thank you, Council President. Stated Meeting September 30, 2021
Thank you, Councilwoman. That will be on today's Calendar.
Councilman Henon offers three bills, entitled "An ordinance establishing parking restrictions for certain commercial vehicles in the vicinity of Blue Grass Road and Grant Avenue, Decatur Street and Torresdale Avenue, Cottman Avenue and Milnor Street, Barnard Avenue and St. Vincent Street, Battersby Street and St. Vincent Street, St. Vincent Street and Roosevelt Boulevard, Wellington Street and Battersby Street, Brighton Street and Brous Avenue, Princeton Avenue and Brous Avenue, Friendship Street and Hawthorne Street, Tulip Street and Decatur Street, Ashton Road and Grant Avenue, and Holme Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard."
Those three bills will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance authorizing the Procurement Commissioner to enter into a contract for the construction of a water main and appurtenant work, required to provide public water service, in the 4000 block of Wells Street and the 6600 block of Charles Street; and An ordinance amending Chapter 9-4400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Responsible Business Operations," to expand property owner liability.
Again, those will be referred to the appropriate committee.
Councilman Jones offers one resolution, entitled a "Resolution also naming the 5200 block of West Berks Street as 'Charles 'Chucky' Rainey, Jr., Way,' in honor of Charles Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 Rainey, Jr., to commemorate his legacy as the 'Ambassador of Wynnefield' and long-time dedication to the residents of the Wynnefield neighborhood of Philadelphia."
Councilwoman Sanchez offers one resolution authorizing the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless to conduct hearings regarding the provision of Emergency Housing Vouchers for Philadelphians experiencing homelessness by the Philadelphia Housing Authority and the Office of Homeless Services.
Councilwoman Brooks offers one resolution, entitled a "Resolution recognizing and honoring the contributions of Dorothy Bolden to the National Domestic Workers Alliance, labor organizing, and advocacy for workers' Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 rights; and further proclaiming October 13th as 'Dorothy Bolden Day' in the City of Philadelphia."
Councilman Domb offers two bills, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 9-200 of Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Commercial Activities on Streets,' to add a new section entitled 'Streeteries' to allow for expansion of business uses, including outdoor dining, in portions of the public right-of-way, such as at certain curbside parking locations."
Thank you, Council President. Good morning. Thank you, colleagues, for the opportunity to speak today about the two bills I'm introducing that would create a citywide process for permanent licensing of outdoor dining spaces on our sidewalks Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 and on our streets across the City of Philadelphia. With the emergency approvals expiring at the end of this year, 2021, we need to establish legislation that would continue this great city amenity that we've enjoyed as a result of the pandemic. Restaurants of all sizes all over the City in every neighborhood have utilized this opportunity, and because of it, they were able to keep their doors open, keeping employees working in the hospitality industry, all while continuing to overcome the tremendous challenges of the pandemic and still maintaining a safe and healthy environment. I've spoken with many of you about how we can work to expand usage, especially to our corridors outside of Center City in all the neighborhoods, and use these restaurants as anchoring businesses and creating exciting spaces Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 for our residents. These bills would amend our Code regulating sidewalk cafes and commercial activities on streets by providing an equal opportunity for restaurants to participate in outdoor dining options citywide while creating a greater level of safety, accountability, transparency, and enforcement through a permanent licensing option. This would include requiring all applicants to publicly post their application for a sidewalk cafe or streetery for at least ten days in order to obtain the license. Public notification gives citizens, neighborhood organizations, and Councilmembers an opportunity to relay any concern to the Streets Department and L&I prior to a decision on the license. The legislation also addresses public safety, traffic flow, transit needs, and bike lanes for all streeteries, providing guidance for the Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 Streets Department and L&I to enforce as needed. Along with providing accountability and enforcement tools, these bills will provide the City with the authority to remove any structure that is not up to code and/or is not being used as a streetery or sidewalk capping space. These bills were developed in close coordination with the Administration, the Pennsylvania Restaurant Lodging Association, the business improvement districts and business corridors throughout the City, disability advocates, civic associations, and other stakeholders. I want to thank everyone, especially my colleagues. I've spoken to almost all of you about this bill. I want to thank you for your input, support, and for your work to help our businesses thrive as our city makes its way back. Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 I look forward to discussing these bills in the committee, and I welcome you all to join me any time for dinner anywhere and everywhere all over the City. I think it's exciting, and it's a way that makes us different having this outdoor dining. So I will look forward to working with everyone, and I appreciate the time. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Councilman. Mr. Decker, just read the second bill.
Councilman Domb also offers an ordinance amending Chapter 9-208 of Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sidewalk Cafes," to revise standards and requirements associated with sidewalk cafes.
Thank you. Those two bills will be referred to the appropriate committee. Stated Meeting September 30, 2021
Councilwoman Gauthier offers one bill and two resolutions, entitled "An ordinance to amend Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code by adding Section 14-532, entitled '/AHP, Affordable Housing Preservation Overlay District' and making other related changes; to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by 39th Street, Ludlow Street, 40th Street, and Market Street; and to establish a temporary demolition moratorium with respect to properties within the aforementioned area."
That bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to certain properties located in the Third Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 Councilmanic District.
And a resolution congratulating and honoring the Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander School for being recognized by the United States Department of Education as a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School.
Councilwoman, you wanted to be recognized. Was it this resolution?
The Chair -- thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gauthier.
Thank you, Council President. I just wanted to take a moment to personally congratulate the Penn Alexander School community on being recognized as a Blue Ribbon School. This is a national distinction among both Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 public and private schools in our country. Only 300 schools receive this designation nationally and only two in Philadelphia this year, Penn Alexander and GAMP. And I think the distinction means even more because last year was such a hard year, going through a global pandemic and having students try to learn at the same time. And so congratulations to the principal, the teachers, the staff, the parents and, most especially, the students. I'm so proud of all of you, and I'm very proud to have such a high-quality school in the Third District. Thank you so much.
Thank you, Councilwoman. That will be on next week's Calendar.
Councilman Thomas offers one resolution, entitled a Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 "Resolution honoring and congratulating Champion of the Week, Julia R. Masterman's Boys Tennis team, on their successful 2021 season and finishing second in the PIAA 2A State Playoffs."
Councilman Squilla offers three bills and one resolution, entitled "An ordinance authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk plaque in the vicinity of 447 North Broad Street."
And an ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Clarion Street and Reed Street; Clarion Street and Wharton Street; Manton Street and South 8th Street; Wilder Street and South 12th Street; Franklin Street and Tasker Street; Marshall Street to Wharton Street. Stated Meeting September 30, 2021
And an ordinance establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Franklin Street and Ritner Street; South 10th Street and Mifflin Street; Mifflin Street and South 9th Street; Dudley Street and South 10th Street; McKean Street and South 9th Street.
And a resolution proclaiming October 7, 2021, as William Still Day in the City of Philadelphia in honor of what would have been his 200th Birthday.
Councilwoman Bass offers on behalf of Council President Clarke two bills, entitled "An ordinance amending Bill No. 210320 (approved June 28, 2021), entitled 'An ordinance to Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 adopt a Capital Program for the six Fiscal Years 2022 through 2027 inclusive,' by adding, revising, and/or removing certain projects, amounts and sources, for the purpose of providing Safe Play Zone security cameras."
And an ordinance amending Bill No. 210321 (approved June 28, 2021), entitled "An ordinance to adopt a Fiscal 2022 Capital Budget," by adding, revising, and/or removing certain projects, amounts and sources, for the purpose of providing Safe Play Zone security cameras.
Councilman Oh offers one bill, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 19 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Finance, Taxes and Collections,' by adding a new Chapter 19-4500, entitled 'Film Industry and Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 2ND READING Digital Media Incentives,' establishing Philadelphia City Film Industry Incentives, all under certain terms and conditions."
There are no other bills or resolutions being offered today by the members, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. And there are no reports from committee today, so we will move to our next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. There being no bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker 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 Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today. They are Nos. 210585, 210586, 210588, 210589, 210601, 210747, 210748, 210749, 210752, 210753, 210756, 210758, 210759, 210760, 210761, 210763, 210764, and 210474-AA. All other bills and resolutions are being held, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Councilwoman. Before we proceed with the consideration of the public comment, we will now take a brief five- to ten-minute recess to give our technology professionals some time to connect the speakers we have for today. (Short recess.)
Good morning again. Thank you very much. Sorry for the slight delay. We had to make some adjustments to the Calendar. So now that everyone is Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 connected to the meeting and before considering the resolutions and bills today we have before us, we will consider the public comment. It will go as follows: Public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action at a session of Council. A speaker on any of those matters must sign up in order to testify. You must call 215-686-3406 by 3:00 p.m. the day before the session to sign up for public comment. When you call, we will take your name, phone number, the number of the legislative item you are commenting on and whether you are in support of or against the legislation, and add your name to the list. We will then telephone each person on the list during the Council session and invite them to our remote meeting. Under ideal conditions, we will have three minutes for each speaker. Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 Today we meet that threshold, so you will have three minutes for your testimony today. In order to be fair to those wishing to speak, I intend to hold faithfully to the established time limit. Once invited to the meeting and asked to begin your testimony, a timer will be started. We will monitor your remaining time throughout your testimony, and when there are 30 seconds remaining to your time, you will be reminded of this. Once your allotted time has passed, you will be asked to conclude your remarks, and shortly thereafter you will be muted and disconnected from the remote meeting. I also reserve the right to limit the number of speakers where repetitious comments are being made on the same subject matter and to limit the scope of the testimony to only certain items on the agenda during the emergency, which could affect callbacks for public comment at the meeting. Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 Please be aware that this public meeting is being recorded, and because the meeting is public, participants and viewers have no reasonable expectation of privacy. So by continuing to be in the meeting, you are consenting to being recorded. I want to thank you all very much for your cooperation and your interest. I will now ask Mr. Decker to please read the first name of the speaker on our list.
The first speaker we have for today, Mr. President, is Keyona Montgomery, commenting on 210761.
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.
Yes. Good morning. My name is Keyona Montgomery. I'm here to talk on behalf of naming -- I mean, the resolution that's in hand. Could I continue? I'm sorry. Stated Meeting September 30, 2021
Oh, okay. Yeah. I just wanted to witness -- I wanted to come and talk on behalf of naming the Rasheed Wallace Way because of the legacy and the detail in regards to what Rasheed pretty much gives back in regards to the community. His community initiative, not only does it branch from here to Philadelphia, but it reaches outside of Philadelphia, from Detroit to North Carolina, now also in Tennessee. Rasheed has been giving back to the community for over two decades now, and I would -- you know, within this last year or two, I've been by his side seeing what he did to the community. He gives resources. I've seen him pay out his own pocket in regards to providing resources for our community here in Philadelphia. Like I said, over 20 years he's been providing community Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 outreach stuff for the community of Philadelphia, giving free basketball camps out to the community of Philadelphia, giving free food, free sneakers. And not to top it off with that he's a legend. The work that he's done on the court as well as off the court is unnoted. I just want to give his flowers while he's here in regards to the legacy so that the community of Philadelphia know who he is and continue to remember who he is and what he do for our community.
Thank you very much for your testimony. We appreciate it. Next speaker.
Good morning. State your name for the record and proceed with your testimony.
Good morning. State your name for the record and proceed with your testimony, please.
I'm sorry. I didn't hear my name being called. I'm speaking on Bill 210474-A. I wanted to speak -- I don't -- I want to speak on this bill because of the fact that although I did have a chance to connect with Councilwoman Sanchez, and I appreciate her talking with me and we did talk about working together and with some of the other RCOs to really hear our voice, I still do not support the bill being passed today as it currently stands. I feel this bill has been introduced since June, and I don't understand why the community process just can't be put into the bill. I mean, I simply think that we Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 should just take a note from you, Council President, where you put in your own preservation bill for your particular area where you have one sentence that states, floor, height, and density bonuses not permitted in Strawberry Mansion. I think that we could amend this right now on the floor if you really care about the community and put in there that floor, height, and density bonus is not permitted unless we meet with the community and have an RCO process. It's as simple as that if you really want to have inclusion. You can't have an inclusionary bill and not include the community. I just don't understand, because the problem is is that we have to wait and many developers start to rush and push through their projects because they feel that this bill may be changed down the road, and so we have -- we wind up with development that we really don't have a Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 say in. Secondly, we don't want to have by-rights, because like we had a developer this past zoning meeting tell us, well, I'm working with you, but I really don't have to come in front of you because I can do this as a matter of right and I don't have to really come back in front of the community. And that is really chilling to a lot of particularly residents in the community who are already frightened by this new development. And to have developers talk to you in that manner, it is really degrading and really -- it takes away your power within your own community. So I think that in order to make the community feel that they're really a part of this inclusionary theme, then we should have that community process. We can't wait for area by area. We cannot wait. Developers are coming through every day to develop, and at this Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 point, what are we getting for the ten-year tax abatement? I mean, why are these bonuses even an issue at this point in terms of seven feet, height, floor, all these additional market-rate apartments? I mean, at this particular point, you're getting a ten-year tax abatement. What are we getting in terms of that? I mean, the City is making money off the transfer taxes, of course, and we don't even hear about where that money is going to. However, at this point, why do we have to keep giving additional bonuses? So that's why it's important that this bill really be brought back to the Rules Committee and have a discussion about it and really address this, but I would like to see this community process amended today on the floor and really giving power back to the community. I think that that's the way to go.
Thank Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 you, Tiffany, for your testimony today. We greatly appreciate it. Mr. Chief Clerk, I would ask that you please read the name of our next speaker.
Yes, Madam Chair. The next speaker is Susan Nam, commenting on 210760.
Please state your name for the record and proceed with your comments.
My name is Susan Nam and I'm here to oppose Bill No. 210760 due to the unclear and obscure nature of the bill. It has no language or direction as to where all these blocks listed are being disposed to. How do we Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 ensure that these too will not end in up the hands of private developers? Also, I want to address last week's out-of-turn Council speeches in response to my public comment regarding the opposition of Councilmember Gym's Bill 210697 that Council President had to rescind three times. How quickly Council felt the need to clarify and label a constituent's testimony as misinformation. By insinuating ideas by putting words in my mouth was not only inappropriate and unwarranted, but irresponsible democracy. I refuse to be patronized and shame on you-ed by my own elected officials in a public forum no less for voicing an opinion that knowingly was not going to be asked further to elaborate on and was completely assumed into. These dangerous, one-conclusion assumptions disable us from looking at these impertinent issues empirically. Ironically, instead it revealed the Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 hidden hypocritical biases and intolerant nature of these agendas. To further address the rebuttal to my testimony, as if it were a careless and uneducated one, was actually a healthy culmination of thoughts over a lifetime of work from a spectrum of countless conversations and unbiased research from those like-minded and not, but always civil, thoughtful, and every side something to be learned from. Need we be reminded the very purpose of why these windows of public comments not only exist but are absolutely necessary is to disrupt this echo chamber culture of media and politics. Let us remember the real freedom that we are either always defending or fighting for live in our diversity in schools of thoughts, ideas, and discussions. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 so very much for your comments today. I would ask the Chief Clerk to please read the name of our next speaker.
Good morning, Mrs. Bell. Are you connected and ready to proceed?
Yes, I can hear you well. Please state your name for the record and then proceed with your comments.
My name is Linda Bell, CPI alum, and I support the following bills and resolutions: 210434, 210636, and Resolution 210396, with which I would encourage Councilmember Parker and this Council to expand this resolution to say until which time a bailout bill can be formulated to forgive Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 those mortgages and tax foreclosures. It's time for the citizens of Philadelphia to get their turn to receive a bailout bonus. Speaking of bonuses, I join Tiffany and those who oppose Bill No. 210474-A, because this and bills like it directly contribute to the violence, crime, and growing homeless population by funding existing single-family homes into perpetual darkness with their height extensions and density allowance in already dense areas, creating a higher potential for physical and mental illness in existing populations by severely decreasing their quality of life, forcing those who can move, to sell or lose their homes to the very predators that cause the situation for a fraction of the value of their home, supported by the very body that they elected to represent and protect their interests. Which brings me to state my opposition to Resolution 210759, 210760 Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 to stop this blatant transfer of the people's wealth of public and private land in the form of land deed transfers to the Philadelphia Land Bank for cheap, easy access to developers, robbing us of financial compensation from the wealthy and placing an eventual increased tax burden for the residents of the poorest city of the top five major cities in the country with tax abatements for these developers. My final opposition is to Ordinance 210205. Without further clarification as to how this would be implemented to protect the homeowner and their right to possession, it reads as another way to rob residents of their property and general wealth. And I would like to support Susan Nam and her comment on City Council and their treatment of her and others like us to stand up and speak for our people. I speak for myself on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves for Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 whatever reason created by these circumstances. These practices must stop. Another way must be made to create a win-win living situation for all. Thank you.
Thank you so very much for your comments today. Mr. Decker, can you please read the name of our next speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. That formally concludes today's public comment period. We will now turn to -- okay. We will now turn to our Council President, who has returned. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Thank you for filling in. I had a couple of housekeeping matters we had to deal with. Appreciate you always standing in. Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 9/30/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Okay. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. And, Mr. Decker, can you please read the title of Resolution No. 210585.
A resolution appointing George Pegram to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Municipal Authority.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 9/30/21 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 210586.
A resolution appointing Jacqueline Dunn to the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Municipal Authority.
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Parker for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. Again, on your behalf, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. Stated Meeting September 30, 2021 9/30/21 - STATED - 2ND READING (Aye.)