CITY COUNCIL

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA Thursday, March 17, 2022 PRESENT: 16 - Councilmembers Domb, Green, Gym, Oh, Squilla, Johnson, Jones, Council President Clarke, Quiñones Sánchez, Bass, Parker, O'Neill, Brooks, Gauthier, Gilmore Richardson and Thomas Council met, a quorum being present. Reverend G. Lamar Stewart of Taylor Memorial Baptist Church was introduced and offered an appropriate prayer. COUNCILMEMBER SQUILLA MOVED TO APPROVE THE JOURNAL of the meeting of March 10, 2022 THE MOTION WAS DULY SECONDED AND AGREED TO. COMMUNICATIONS The Sergeant-at-Arms presented messages from the Mayor as follows: Transmitting an a resolution approving the First Amendment to License Agreement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Market Street East Urban Renewal Area, for a certain pedestrian bridge located between Tenth and Eleventh streets above Filbert street, including air rights; and authorizing the Redevelopment Authority to execute the First Amendment to License Agreement with Keystone Philadelphia Properties, L.P. and to take such action as may be necessary to effectuate the First Amendment to License Agreement. (File No. 220258) THE COMMUNICATION WAS READ AND FILED. March 9, 2022 TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA: City of Philadelphia -1-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA I am hereby returning without my signature Bill Number 210956-A, which was passed by Council at its session on March 3, 2022. Bill Number 210956-A signifies the intention of the City of Philadelphia to organize the Philadelphia Public Financial Authority pursuant to authority established under state law, and amending Chapters 20-600 ("Standards of Conduct and Ethics"), 20-1200 ("Lobbying"), and 17-1400 ("Non-Competitively Bid Contracts; Financial Assistance") of The Philadelphia Code to address ethics, contractual and other requirements applicable to the Philadelphia Public Financial Authority. My Administration supports the broad policy aims outlined in this piece of legislation, particularly the focus on challenges faced by minority-owned businesses who are denied conventional loans and seek access to capital to start and grow businesses. However, existing entities such as the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development (PAID) and the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) can carry out the important work outlined in this bill. Additionally, the City is fortunate to be served by many community banks, credit unions, and Community Development Financing Institutions (CDFIs) that provide access to capital for small businesses as well as consulting services, trainings, and workshops for entrepreneurs and community developers. Working with these organizations may be a more effective way of accomplishing the goals of this legislation. There are also several critical questions related to the Philadelphia Public Financial Authority (“the Authority”) that remain unanswered. First, it is likely that the Authority will compete with existing entities for financing, but it is unclear how it will be funded and/or how much funding it will seek. Additionally, the Bill allows the Authority to issue debt, but it is unclear what revenues would be used to repay that debt and whether those debts would be financial obligations of the City that would compete with other priorities for City support. There are also significant concerns around potentially pursuing depository status for this Authority, as the Bill contains conditional language that would allow it to accept City and School District deposits if there is additional federal and state legislation in the future. Without this additional authorization, the Authority cannot serve as a City depository. As City deposits fund the critical operations of all City departments, payroll, and reserves to help the City navigate financial crises such as that posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, those funds must be collateralized to limit risk and ensure they are available when needed. Those dollars are therefore unavailable for loans or other activities contemplated under the Bill. City of Philadelphia -2-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA Lastly, the Bill gives the Authority the power to buy and sell securities and property. While there may be no intention to do that immediately, we have concerns about what kind of risk that power could create in the future for the Authority and potentially the City. For these reasons, I am returning without my signature Bill Number 210956-A. Respectfully, JAMES F. KENNEY Mayor (File No. 220259) THE COMMUNICATION WAS READ AND FILED. Transmitting a message advising Council that Bill Nos. 210827, and 220114, which were passed by Council on March 10, 2022, were signed by the Mayor on March 11, 2022. (File No. 220260) THE COMMUNICATION WAS READ AND FILED. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS Councilmember Parker Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution for Council President Clarke, Sponsored by Councilmember Parker: Resolution No. 220248: Resolution Approving the redevelopment contract of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Model Cities Urban Renewal Area, identified by house numbers and street addresses as 1604-1608 Page street, 1610 Page street, 1612 Page street, and 1614 Page street; and authorizing the Redevelopment Authority to execute the redevelopment contract with Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, Inc. and to take such action as may be necessary to effectuate the redevelopment contract. Resolution No. 220249: Resolution Authorizing the Committee on Labor and Civil Service to hold hearings to examine the enforcement of building and construction code requirements, Licenses and Inspections inspector caseload and inspector staffing ratios, and the City’s response to worker misclassification, also known as payroll fraud Councilmember Gym Introduced and Referred the following Bill, Sponsored by Councilmembers Gym, Johnson, Brooks, Gauthier, Thomas, Bass and Green: Bill No. 220239: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 21-1800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Foster Care,” to add new provisions related to screening and application for benefits for foster youth; limiting the use of Social Security, City of Philadelphia -3-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA Supplemental Security Income, Veterans or other various benefits; and providing notice to the foster child for certain actions taken with respect to Social Security and other benefits; all under certain terms and conditions. THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH. Councilmember Jones Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Jones: Resolution No. 220250: Resolution Calling on the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office, Office of the City Controller and the Managing Directors Office to conduct a joint evaluation of the City’s current witness relocation and protection programs. Councilmember Johnson Introduced and Referred the following Bill for Council President Clarke, Sponsored by Councilmember Johnson: Bill No. 220240: An Ordinance Substantially increasing the budget and number of areas and neighborhoods around the City served by the Community Life Improvement Program (CLIP) to improve the health, safety and cleanliness of every neighborhood and enhance the quality of life for all residents. THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. Councilmember Johnson Introduced and Referred the following Bill, Sponsored by Councilmember Johnson: Bill No. 220241: An Ordinance Authorizing the installation, ownership, and maintenance of a Streetery in the Right-of-Way adjacent to 738 South 11th Street, currently the location of a restaurant known as Hawthornes, under certain terms and conditions. THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES. Councilmember Johnson Introduced and Referred the following Bill, Sponsored by Councilmember Johnson: Bill No. 220242: An Ordinance Authorizing the installation, ownership, and maintenance of a Streetery in the Right-of-Way adjacent to 1631 Packer Avenue, currently the location of a restaurant known as Philadium, under certain terms and conditions. THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES. Councilmember Green Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar City of Philadelphia -4-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Green: Resolution No. 220251: Resolution Expressing solidarity with the local leaders of Ukraine. Councilmember Brooks Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmembers Brooks and Quiñones Sánchez: Resolution No. 220252: Resolution Honoring and recognizing the contributions of service worker, administrator, and faith leader, Bonnie Camarda, whose leadership and talent for relationship-building has bolstered the work of Philadelphia’s most instrumental public interest organizations, uplifted Philadelphia’s Latino community, and empowered underserved populations across the City. Councilmember Brooks Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmembers Brooks and Gym: Resolution No. 220253: Resolution Honoring and recognizing the voice, vision, and contributions of movement activist and organizer Ellen Somekawa, whose fearless and transformative leadership within Philadelphia’s Asian American community has advanced major victories for racial and economic justice, built multiracial coalitions across the City, founded historic institutions, and redefined Asian American activism particularly in the area of youth leadership, education justice, and civil rights. Councilmember Gauthier Introduced and Ordered Placed on This Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Gauthier: Resolution No. 220254: Resolution Authorizing the City of Philadelphia Council Committee on Public Safety to hold public hearings to explore the role of the Philadelphia Police Department Neighborhood Services Unit as a part of the City’s comprehensive response to the widespread prevalence of abandoned vehicles in the City of Philadelphia, and to examine enforcement practices, preventative measures and potential solutions necessary to address this problem. Councilmember Thomas Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Thomas: Resolution No. 220255: Resolution Honoring and congratulating Women’s History Month’s Champion of the Week, Imhotep Charter School’s Girls Basketball team, on its successful 2022 season and winning the Philadelphia Public League title two years in a row. Councilmember Squilla Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar City of Philadelphia -5-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Squilla: Resolution No. 220256: Resolution Approving the First Amendment to License Agreement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the Market Street East Urban Renewal Area, for a certain pedestrian bridge located between Tenth and Eleventh streets above Filbert street, including air rights; and authorizing the Redevelopment Authority to execute the First Amendment to License Agreement with Keystone Philadelphia Properties, L.P. and to take such action as may be necessary to effectuate the First Amendment to License Agreement. Councilmember Oh Introduced and Referred the following Bill, Sponsored by Councilmember Oh: Bill No. 220243: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 10-700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Refuse and Littering,” by adding new definition for third party administrators, and revising Section 10-718 to sanction third party administrators as enforcers of illegal dumping violations, all under certain terms and conditions. THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES. Councilmember Oh Introduced and Referred the following Bill, Sponsored by Councilmember Oh: Bill No. 220244: An Ordinance Amending Title 21 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Miscellaneous,” by adding a new Chapter 21-3300, entitled “Flag Raisings,” to establish uniform standards for flag raising ceremonies, all under certain terms and conditions. THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. Councilmember Oh Introduced and Referred the following Bill, Sponsored by Councilmember Oh: Bill No. 220245: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 12-900 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Parking Regulations and Penalties,” by regulating on-street parking of unpermitted semitrailers and truck tractors, all under certain terms and conditions. THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES. Councilmember Oh Introduced and Referred the following Bill, Sponsored by Councilmember Oh: Bill No. 220246: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 12-400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Towing and Immobilizing of Parked or Abandoned Vehicles,” by adding new regulations for the towing and storage of illegally parked semitrailer and truck tractors, all under certain terms and conditions. City of Philadelphia -6-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES. Councilmember Oh Introduced and Referred the following Bill, Sponsored by Councilmember Oh: Bill No. 220247: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 12-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Administrative Adjudication of Parking Violations,” by establishing monetary penalties for on-street parking of semitrailers and truck tractors, all under certain terms and conditions. THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES. Councilmember Oh Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Oh: Resolution No. 220257: Resolution Urging the White House and United States Congress to work with NATO partners in establishing a limited no-fly-zone over humanitarian corridors in Ukraine. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Resolution No. 210831: Resolution Approving the appointment of McCullough Williams III to the Philadelphia Water, Sewer and Storm Water Rate Board. THE RESOLUTION WAS ORDERED PLACED ON FINAL PASSAGE CALENDAR FOR NEXT MEETING.. Resolution No. 211005: Resolution Reappointing Jay S. Feldstein, D.O., to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion. THE RESOLUTION WAS ORDERED PLACED ON FINAL PASSAGE CALENDAR FOR NEXT MEETING.. Resolution No. 211006: Resolution Reappointing Bernie A. Prazenica to the Board of Directors of the City Avenue Special Services District of Philadelphia and Lower Merion. THE RESOLUTION WAS ORDERED PLACED ON FINAL PASSAGE CALENDAR FOR NEXT MEETING.. Resolution No. 220025: Resolution Appointing Erik Derr to the Board of Directors for the Old City Special Services District. THE RESOLUTION WAS ORDERED PLACED ON FINAL PASSAGE CALENDAR FOR NEXT MEETING.. City of Philadelphia -7-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE ON PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS Bill No. 210743: An Ordinance Renaming and designating the property commonly referred to as the 11th and Venango Playground, located at 3600 North 11th Street, as the "Williams Moore Reed Memorial Park” in the City of Philadelphia. COUNCILMEMBER BASS MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES OF THE COUNCIL SO AS TO PERMIT CONSIDERATION THIS DAY OF BILL NO. 210743. THE MOTION WAS DULY SECONDED AND AGREED TO. THE BILL WAS ORDERED PLACED ON THIS DAY`S FIRST READING CALENDAR. CONSIDERATION OF THE CALENDAR BILLS ON FIRST READING Bill No. 210743: An Ordinance Renaming and designating the property commonly referred to as the 11th and Venango Playground, located at 3600 North 11th Street, as the "Williams Moore Reed Memorial Park” in the City of Philadelphia. THE BILL WAS READ AND ORDERED PLACED ON NEXT WEEK'S SECOND READING CALENDAR. PUBLIC COMMENT The following persons provided public comment on March 17, 2022 Name and Comment Subject Corinne O’Connell (210848) Tenaja Hammond (210848) Tyreeka Richards (210848) Lorina Marshall-Blake (220227) Layla Irby (220228) See Notes of Testimony for full comment. City of Philadelphia -8-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA Please note that this meeting will be held remotely using Microsoft® Teams. This remote session may be viewed on Xfinity Channel 64, Fios Channel 40 or http://phlcouncil.com/watch-city-council/. Public comment may be received with regard to those matters printed on the agenda on the following pages. Speakers interested in participating in public comment must call 215-686-3406 by 3 p.m. on the Wednesday before the Council session and submit the following information: • Full name • Callback telephone number where you can be reached • Identify the bill number or resolution number that will be addressed • State whether you support or oppose that particular bill or resolution. Speakers who submitted the above information within the required time frame will be telephoned during the council session and invited to the remote meeting. They will have up to three minutes to speak; the Council President, however, reserves the right based on circumstances to establish a different time limit. The Council President may also limit repetitious comments or limit the scope of testimony to only certain items on the agenda, which could affect callbacks for public comment at the meeting. City of Philadelphia -9-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA ORDER OF BUSINESS IN A COUNCIL SESSION Note: Some items do not occur at every session: Invocation. Approval of the journal of the preceding meeting. Requests by Councilmembers for permission to be absent from the session. Reading of communications from the Mayor. Introduction of bills and resolutions (to be referred to appropriate Committees of Council). Reports from Committees of Council. Special business. Bills on first reading. Public comment on bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars – titles are printed below. Bills that Council passed but that need to be returned by the Mayor for reconsideration. Consideration of bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars. City of Philadelphia - 10 -  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA Bills and resolutions on the Suspension Calendar. Speeches by Councilmembers. . BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS ON FINAL PASSAGE Resolution No. 220226: Resolution Authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 1403 N. 17th Street, 1409 N. 17th Street, 1412 N. 17th Street, 1415 N. 17th Street, 1416 N. 17th Street, 1421 N. 17th Street, 1435 N. 17th Street, 1441 N. 17th Street, 1624 Jefferson Street in the Fifth Councilmanic District of the City of Philadelphia and further authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to transfer to the Philadelphia Land Bank fee simple title to such properties pursuant to Section 16-405 of The Philadelphia Code. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 220227: Resolution Honoring and congratulating the Independence Blue Cross Foundation on the occasion of its 10th Anniversary. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 220228: Resolution Celebrating and congratulating Girl Scouts of the USA on the occasion of its 110th Anniversary and thanking Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania for its service to the girls of Philadelphia. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 220229: Resolution Honoring and celebrating the remarkable accomplishments of inspiring women leaders: Benazir Bhutto, Sarah Boone, Brigadier General Hazel Johnson-Brown, Meta L. Christy DO, Admiral Michelle Howard, Mae Jemison, Katherine Johnson, Condoleezza Rice, Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Madam C.J. Walker, in honor of Women’s History Month. City of Philadelphia - 11 -  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 220231: Resolution Honoring NBC10 Philadelphia’s Glenn “Hurricane” Schwartz on the occasion of his upcoming retirement and recognizing his twenty-seven years with the First Alert Weather Team and his forty-two year career on television reporting the weather. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 220233: Resolution Honoring and congratulating Women’s History Month’s Champion of the Week, Kate Scott, on becoming the second female full-time broadcaster in N.B.A. history and female play-by-play announcer in Philadelphia sports history. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS ON SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE Bill No. 220111: An Ordinance Amending Section 9-215 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Streeteries,” to revise and add additional permitted locations, all under certain terms and conditions. THE BILL WAS READ AND PASSED. The Ayes and Nays were as follows: Ayes: 16 Councilmembers Domb, Green, Gym, Oh, Squilla, Johnson, Jones, Council President Clarke, Quiñones Sánchez, Bass, Parker, O'Neill, Brooks, Gauthier, Gilmore Richardson and Thomas Nays: 0 Resolution No. 220249: Resolution Authorizing the Committee on Labor and Civil Service to hold hearings to examine the enforcement of building and construction code requirements, Licenses and Inspections inspector caseload and inspector staffing ratios, and the City’s response to worker misclassification, also known as payroll fraud THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 220254: Resolution Authorizing the City of Philadelphia Council Committee on Public Safety to hold public hearings to explore the role of the Philadelphia Police Department Neighborhood Services Unit as a part of the City’s comprehensive response to the widespread prevalence of abandoned vehicles in the City of Philadelphia, and to examine enforcement practices, preventative measures and potential solutions necessary to address this problem. City of Philadelphia - 12 -  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. SPEECHES COUNCILMEMBER JONES MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MOTION WAS DULY SECONDED AND AGREED TO. City of Philadelphia - 13 -