CITY COUNCIL

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA Thursday, September 17, 2020 PRESENT: 17 - Councilmembers Domb, Green, Gym, Oh, Squilla, Johnson, Jones, Council President Clarke, Henon, Quiñones Sánchez, Bass, Parker, O'Neill, Brooks, Gauthier, Gilmore Richardson and Thomas Council met, a quorum being present. A silent moment of prayer and reflection was observed. COUNCILMEMBER SQUILLA MOVED TO APPROVE THE JOURNAL of the meeting of September 10, 2020. THE MOTION WAS DULY SECONDED AND AGREED TO. COMMUNICATIONS The Sergeant-at-Arms presented messages from the Mayor as follows: Transmitting a message advising Council that Bill No. 200345, which was passed by Council on September 10, 2020, was signed by the Mayor on September 14, 2020. (File No. 200494) THE COMMUNICATION WAS READ AND FILED. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS Councilmember Gilmore Richardson Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution for Council President Clarke, Sponsored by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson: Resolution No. 200482: Resolution Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1906 N. 24th Street located in the Fifth Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code. City of Philadelphia -1-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA Councilmember Gilmore Richardson Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson: Resolution No. 200483: Resolution Urging Senator Pat Toomey and Senate Leadership to take up and act on the Heroes Act, the Helping Homes Act, and the Moving Forward Act, sweeping and transformational resolutions to address the ongoing economic crisis co-sponsored by Congressman Dwight Evans and the Philadelphia congressional delegation. Councilmember Gym Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Gym: Resolution No. 200484: Resolution Commemorating the life of legal aid giant and former Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Thomas Gilhool, a founding figure for community legal services, education equity, and the rights of the disabled and the poor, who led a rollicking life in pursuit of law and justice through eight decades of Philadelphia history. Councilmember Jones Introduced and Referred the following Bill, Sponsored by Councilmembers Jones, Gauthier, Parker, Johnson, Gym and Brooks: Bill No. 200479: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 9-3500 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards,” by amending definitions, revising restrictions, and amending and clarifying remedies, all under certain terms and conditions. THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY. Councilmember Jones Introduced and Referred the following Bill, Sponsored by Councilmember Jones: Bill No. 200480: An Ordinance Amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Zoning and Planning,” to revise certain provisions of Chapter 14-500, entitled “Overlay Zoning Districts,” by creating the /MMP, McMichael Park Overlay District; all under certain terms and conditions. THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES. Councilmember Johnson Introduced and Ordered Placed on This Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Johnson: Resolution No. 200485: Resolution Authorizing the Committee on Legislative Oversight to conduct hearings to examine findings of racism, nepotism and mistrust within the First Judicial District, as set forth in a recently revealed report by The Center City of Philadelphia -2-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA for Urban and Racial Equality. Councilmember Johnson Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Johnson: Resolution No. 200486: Resolution Calling on the School District of Philadelphia to promptly negotiate a mutually agreeable new contract with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers that prioritizes the health and safety of school staff and students and acknowledges the contributions of teachers and other staff, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Councilmember Thomas Introduced and Ordered Placed on This Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Thomas: Resolution No. 200487: Resolution Authorizing the Committee on Public Safety to hold hearings on the scourge of vehicular hit and run incidents in Philadelphia to give voice to victims and their families and seek solutions to reduce and then eliminate this problem from our City. Councilmember Thomas Introduced and Ordered Placed on This Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Thomas: Resolution No. 200488: Resolution Authorizing the Committee on Streets and Services to conduct hearings to examine the current status of trash and recycling pickups and examine ways to improve how this vital service is performed and how to ensure the job is seen as the community-minded career path it should be. Councilmember Thomas Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Thomas: Resolution No. 200489: Resolution Honoring and congratulating the West Catholic girls basketball team on their successful 2019-2020 season and overall 22-6 record in the Philadelphia Catholic League girls basketball championships. Councilmember Squilla Introduced and Referred the following Bill, Sponsored by Councilmember Squilla: Bill No. 200481: An Ordinance Authorizing the Churchview Commons Condominium Association (“Owner”) to own and maintain street lighting Encroachments along the One Hundred (100) Block of Church Street in the City of Philadelphia, all under certain terms and conditions. THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES. City of Philadelphia -3-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA Councilmember Bass Introduced and Ordered Placed on This Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Bass: Resolution No. 200490: Resolution Authorizing the Committee on Rules to hold hearings examining the City of Philadelphia’s citywide historic preservation survey and the impacts of historic designation on the development of new buildings, repairing properties to meet Historical Commission guidelines, and all other development specifically in underserved and/or low-income neighborhoods. Councilmember Oh Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Oh: Resolution No. 200491: Resolution Calling on the Kenney administration to develop a plan to be more inclusive of City Council when creating and implementing emergency public safety measures and restrictions. Councilmember Oh Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Oh: Resolution No. 200492: Resolution Calling on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to resolve ongoing complications within the State’s unemployment system to ensure all eligible Pennsylvanians receive their entitled compensation in a timely manner. Resolution No. 200493: Resolution Proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter by revising the powers and duties of the Art Commission to provide citizens the opportunity to vote on the removal or relocation of a City statue and monument through a public referendum process when there is public dispute, and to require the Commission to prepare an analysis evaluating the competing interpretations of the statue or monument before any removal or relocation; and providing for the submission of the proposed amendment to the electors of Philadelphia. THE RESOLUTION WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE ON LAW AND GOVERNMENT. CONSIDERATION OF THE CALENDAR PUBLIC COMMENT The following persons provided public comment on September 17, 2020: Name and Comment Subject City of Philadelphia -4-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA Queen Judith Robinson (200443) Sherrie Cohen (200364) See Notes of Testimony for full comment. BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS ON FINAL PASSAGE Resolution No. 200427: Resolution Proclaiming the week of September 14, 2020 as “Census Week” in Philadelphia. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 200428: Resolution Recognizing September as Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month in the City of Philadelphia, and affirming the need for suicide prevention awareness and robust mental health services. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 200429: Resolution Permanently recognizing the third week in August as Solar Week in the City of Philadelphia. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 200432: Resolution Calling on the Philadelphia Postmaster to meet with Congressman Dwight Evans and the Philadelphia Congressional delegation to discuss the alleged removal of sorting machines from Philadelphia area post offices which would cause delays in the processing of Census forms and mail-in ballots. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 200434: Resolution Honoring the award-winning Philadelphia Public School Notebook for its enduring legacy and commitment to education justice, to independent journalism, and to centering and uplifting citizen voices through more than a quarter century of public school advocacy, upon its transition to new management under Chalkbeat. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 200435: Resolution Urging the United States House of Representatives to pass H.R. 7947, also known as the “Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act,” providing substantial and additional aid to older foster youth and kinship families and preventing mandatory “aging out” during the City of Philadelphia -5-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA COVID-19 pandemic. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 200437: Resolution Recognizing the 12th Annual Block Captain Boot Camp, which will be held virtually for the first time ever on Saturday, October 24, 2020. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 200438: Resolution Supporting the National Minority Business Development Agency and recognizing October 5 through October 9, 2020 as Philadelphia Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week, which provides critical information, resources, opportunities and inspiration to the minority business community. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 200439: Resolution Recognizing and honoring Dana Jenkins, Principal of Roxborough High School, on the occasion of her retirement, after twenty years of dedication and service to the School District of Philadelphia. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 200440: Resolution Approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Point Breeze Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 1308-1314 South Capitol street, 1318 South Capitol street, 1336-1344 South Capitol street, 2025-2029 Reed street, 2031 Reed street, 2033-2035 Reed street, 2038 Reed street, 1400 South Taylor street, 1402 South Taylor street, 1410 South Taylor street, 1413 South Taylor street, 1415 South Taylor street, 1419 South Taylor street, 1421 South Taylor street, 1426 South Taylor street, 1428 South Taylor street, 1430 South Taylor street, 1440 South Taylor street and 2024 Wharton street; and authorizing the Redevelopment Authority to execute the redevelopment contract with Community Justice Land Trust and to take such action as may be necessary to effectuate the redevelopment contract. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 200441: Resolution Commemorating the 55th Anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Act. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 200443: Resolution Recognizing the American Jewish Committee and the National Urban League’s Black Jewish Unity Week and the ongoing efforts to City of Philadelphia -6-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA partner and work together in creating a more equitable future. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 200444: Resolution Honoring the life of Eleanor Sokoloff and her legacy of service and promotion of musical education in Philadelphia. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 200445: Resolution Honoring Richard M. Englert upon his retirement as Temple University’s President and his contributions to Temple and Philadelphia. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 200447: Resolution Calling on Mayor James F. Kenney to declare gun violence a citywide emergency and develop an urgent, unrelenting response to the gun violence epidemic plaguing Black and Brown neighborhoods in Philadelphia, and re-affirming the commitment of the City Council of Philadelphia to continue collaborating with, and supporting the work of, the Mayor, our City agencies, the criminal justice community, and non-governmental partners, to mitigate this deadly epidemic. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 200448: Resolution Honoring and congratulating the Mastery Charter North girls basketball team, on their successful 2019-2020 season and overall 20-9 record in the Philadelphia Public League girls basketball championships. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 200449: Resolution Honoring and congratulating activist, advocate, founder and president emerita of the Children’s Defense Fund, Marian Wright Edelman. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 200450: Resolution Calling on Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) to create equitable forms of competition for schools and students unable to compete in their sports in the normal way because of public health guidance in their communities. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 200451: Resolution Calling on the Pennsylvania Department of Education to cancel the PSSA and Keystone exams for the 2020-2021 academic year and redirect the resources to providing the best digital learning environment possible. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. City of Philadelphia -7-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA Resolution No. 200454: 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 1824 East Huntingdon street; and authorizing the Redevelopment Authority to execute the redevelopment contract with JR Complete Construction Inc. and to take such action as may be necessary to effectuate the redevelopment contract. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 200455: 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 2103 East Hagert street; and authorizing the Redevelopment Authority to execute the redevelopment contract with BMK Properties, LLC and to take such action as may be necessary to effectuate the redevelopment contract. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 200456: 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 2451-2453 Frankford avenue; and authorizing the Redevelopment Authority to execute the redevelopment contract with BMK Properties, LLC and to take such action as may be necessary to effectuate the redevelopment contract. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 200457: 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 2514 Coral street; and authorizing the Redevelopment Authority to execute the redevelopment contract with Coral Reef LLC and to take such action as may be necessary to effectuate the redevelopment contract. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 200458: Resolution Recognizing September as National Recovery Month in Philadelphia and celebrating the 19th Annual PRO-ACT Recovery Walks! to promote recovery and work to end the stigma surrounding drug and alcohol addiction. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. City of Philadelphia -8-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA Resolution No. 200459: Resolution Recognizing September 2020 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in Philadelphia in honor of childhood cancer patients, care givers, survivors, and those children who have succumbed to the disease. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 200460: Resolution Appointing 15 Individuals to the Philadelphia Fashion and Garment Industry Task Force. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS ON SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE Bill No. 200364-A, as amended: An Ordinance Amending Title 17 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Contracts and Procurement,” by adding a new Chapter 17-2300, entitled “Public Hearing Required Prior to Execution of a Labor Agreement with City Workers Represented by the Fraternal Order Of Police With Respect To The Workers’ Terms And Conditions Of Employment,” by establishing certain definitions; and requiring a public hearing within thirty (30) days prior to the City entering into or amending a labor agreement with City workers represented by the Fraternal Order of Police, all under certain terms and conditions. THE BILL WAS READ AND PASSED. The Ayes and Nays were as follows: Ayes: 15 Councilmembers Domb, Green, Oh, Squilla, Johnson, Jones, Council President Clarke, Henon, Quiñones Sánchez, Bass, Parker, Brooks, Gauthier, Gilmore Richardson and Thomas Nays: 2 Councilmembers Gym and O'Neill Bill No. 200368-A, as amended: An Ordinance Amending Title 10 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Regulation of Individual Conduct and Activity,” by adding a new Chapter 10-2500, entitled “Prohibited Physical Contact by Peace Officers,” to prevent unnecessary death or injury via asphyxiation by prohibiting certain physical contact by peace officers, all under certain terms and conditions. THE BILL WAS READ AND PASSED. The Ayes and Nays were as follows: Ayes: 17 Councilmembers Domb, Green, Gym, Oh, Squilla, Johnson, Jones, Council President Clarke, Henon, Quiñones Sánchez, Bass, Parker, O'Neill, Brooks, Gauthier, Gilmore Richardson and Thomas Nays: 0 City of Philadelphia -9-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA SPEECHES COUNCILMEMBER JONES MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MOTION WAS DULY SECONDED AND AGREED TO. City of Philadelphia - 10 -