CITY COUNCIL

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA Thursday, February 25, 2021 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. Bishop James Darrell Robinson of Yesha Ministries was introduced and offered an appropriate prayer. of the meeting of February 18, 2020. THE MOTION WAS DULY SECONDED AND AGREED TO. COMMUNICATIONS The Sergeant-at-Arms presented messages from the Mayor as follows: Transmitting an ordinance authorizing the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation and the Commissioner of Procurement, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a multi-year Concession Agreement with German American Marketing, Inc. d/b/a CHRISTMAS VILLAGE IN PHILADELPHIA, for the operation and management of a seasonal Christmas Village for the City of Philadelphia at LOVE Park and other potential City owned areas. (File No. 210176) 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 Councilmembers Parker, Bass, Brooks, Domb, Gauthier, Gilmore Richardson, Green, Gym, Henon, Johnson, Jones, O'Neill, Oh, Quiñones Sánchez, Squilla and Thomas: Resolution No. 210161: Resolution Commemorating the life and legacy of William ‘Cody’ Anderson, a legendary figure in talk radio, a pioneering leader in African-American owned radio and media, and a positive voice in the Black City of Philadelphia -1-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA community. Councilmember Parker Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution for Council President Clarke, Sponsored by Councilmembers Parker, Bass, Oh, Brooks, Gym, Johnson, Green, Jones, Henon, Gilmore Richardson and Squilla: Resolution No. 210162: Resolution Launching the establishment and funding of the Philadelphia Anti-Violence Resource Network to provide a one-stop clearinghouse of information and guide Philadelphians directly affected by violence in their communities to available resources within the City of Philadelphia. Bill No. 210159: An Ordinance Amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Zoning and Planning,” to revise certain provisions of Chapter 14-600, entitled “Use Regulations,” by amending the Retail Sales Use Category and Use-Specific Standards; all under certain terms and conditions. Councilmember Gilmore Richardson Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmembers Gilmore Richardson, Quiñones Sánchez, Henon and Parker: Resolution No. 210164: Resolution Declaring March 7-14, 2021, during Women’s History Month, as Women in Construction (WIC) Week in the City of Philadelphia, and honoring Women in Nontraditional Careers (WINC) for their commitment to support, increase, and advance the participation of women in construction, manufacturing, and transit careers in the Philadelphia region. Councilmember Gym Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Gym: Resolution No. 210165: Resolution Honoring and commending Jennifer R. Clarke for her 15-year tenure as the Executive Director of the Public Interest Law Center and her strategic, pioneering, and transformative work to expand access to justice that has changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across Pennsylvania and the nation. Councilmember Johnson Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Johnson: Resolution No. 210166: Resolution Recognizing the Philadelphia Obituary Project for its work to provide dignity to homicide victims and solace to their families by remembering and honoring those victims’ lives. City of Philadelphia -2-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA Councilmember Green Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Green: Resolution No. 210167: Resolution Designating Monday, March 1, 2021 as COVID-19 Remembrance Day in the City of Philadelphia. Councilmember Green Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Green: Resolution No. 210168: Resolution Recognizing and congratulating Renee Henderson, on the occasion of her retirement from Community Behavioral Health, after more than two decades of faithful and dedicated service. Councilmember Green Introduced and Ordered Placed on This Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Green: Resolution No. 210169: Resolution Authorizing the Committees on Finance and on Gun Violence Prevention to hold joint hearings regarding the connection between poverty, gun violence, and systemic racism in Philadelphia. Councilmember Brooks Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Brooks: Resolution No. 210163: Resolution Calling on the federal government to enact a plan by the end of President Biden’s first 100 days in office to cancel all student loan debt and begin the transition to education as a public good. Councilmember Domb Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Domb: Resolution No. 210170: Resolution Congratulating Councilmember Cherelle L. Parker on her historic appointment as Board Chair of the Delaware River Port Authority (“DRPA”) and honoring her work as a board member and trailblazing leader in Philadelphia. Bill No. 210160: An Ordinance Authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2021 from the General Fund, the Council to the General Fund, the Managing Director. Councilmember Thomas Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Thomas: Resolution No. 210171: Resolution Honoring and congratulating the After School Activities and Partnerships (ASAP) Chess club for their bringing together over 150 clubs and 2,500 students across the City and being instrumental in Philadelphia being City of Philadelphia -3-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA named Chess City of the Year by US Chess. Councilmember Bass Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Bass: Resolution No. 210172: Resolution Recognizing February 2021 as American Heart Month, and honoring the American Heart Association of Philadelphia for their work in providing health resources in Philadelphia, emphasizing the importance of heart health, and encouraging a healthy lifestyle. Councilmember Bass Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Bass: Resolution No. 210173: Resolution Recognizing and honoring Lynette Medley and her daughter, Nya McGlone, for their menstrual hub, The SPOT Period; and for the work they have done to provide menstrual products and ongoing support for those suffering from period poverty. Councilmember Bass Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Bass: Resolution No. 210174: Resolution Recognizing the month of February as National African American Read-In Month, and honoring Dr. Ebony Elizabeth Thomas’ Humanizing Stories Project for its work to bring together diverse voices from the world of children’s media, literature, and culture through digital advocacy, community projects, and classroom resources. Councilmember Oh Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Oh: Resolution No. 210175: Resolution Refuting the article, “Contracting for Sex in the Pacific War,” which contradicts the historical consensus and evidence of the thousands of women forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese Imperial Army before and during WWII, written by J. Mark Ramseyer: Mitsubishi Professor of Japanese Legal Studies at Harvard Law School. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Bill No. 210077: An Ordinance Authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2021 from the General Fund, the Council to the General Fund, the Department of Planning and Development. City of Philadelphia -4-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA COUNCILMEMBER QUIÑONES SÁNCHEZ MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES OF THE COUNCIL SO AS TO PERMIT CONSIDERATION THIS DAY OF BILL NO. 210077. THE MOTION WAS DULY SECONDED AND AGREED TO. THE BILL WAS ORDERED PLACED ON THIS DAY`S FIRST READING CALENDAR. Bill No. 210120, as amended: An Ordinance Authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2021 from the General Fund, the Council to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and thereby implementing Council’s “New Normal Jobs Initiative.” COUNCILMEMBER QUIÑONES SÁNCHEZ MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES OF THE COUNCIL SO AS TO PERMIT CONSIDERATION THIS DAY OF BILL NO. 210120, AS AMENDED. THE MOTION WAS DULY SECONDED AND AGREED TO. THE BILL WAS ORDERED PLACED ON THIS DAY`S FIRST READING CALENDAR. Bill No. 210121: An Ordinance Authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2021 from the Grants Revenue Fund, the Director of Finance - Provision for Other Grants, to the General Fund, the Managing Director, under certain terms and conditions. COUNCILMEMBER QUIÑONES SÁNCHEZ MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES OF THE COUNCIL SO AS TO PERMIT CONSIDERATION THIS DAY OF BILL NO. 210121. THE MOTION WAS DULY SECONDED AND AGREED TO. THE BILL WAS ORDERED PLACED ON THIS DAY`S FIRST READING CALENDAR. COMMITTEE ON LAW AND GOVERNMENT Bill No. 210073: An Ordinance Providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter providing for expansion of the Board of License and Inspection Review, as approved by Resolution of the City Council; fixing the date of a special election for such purpose; prescribing the form of ballot question to be voted on; and, authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election. COUNCILMEMBER PARKER MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES OF THE COUNCIL SO AS TO PERMIT CONSIDERATION THIS DAY OF BILL NO. 210073. THE MOTION WAS DULY SECONDED AND AGREED TO. THE BILL WAS ORDERED PLACED ON THIS DAY`S FIRST READING CALENDAR. Bill No. 210080: An Ordinance Amending Section 20-610 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Statement of Financial Interests,” by revising the required conditions and City of Philadelphia -5-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA information for filing, under certain terms and conditions. COUNCILMEMBER PARKER MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES OF THE COUNCIL SO AS TO PERMIT CONSIDERATION THIS DAY OF BILL NO. 210080. THE MOTION WAS DULY SECONDED AND AGREED TO. THE BILL WAS ORDERED PLACED ON THIS DAY`S FIRST READING CALENDAR. Resolution No. 210085: Resolution Proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter providing for expansion of the Board of License and Inspection Review; and providing for the submission of the proposed amendment to the electors of Philadelphia. THE RESOLUTION WAS ORDERED PLACED ON FINAL PASSAGE CALENDAR FOR NEXT MEETING.. COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Bill No. 210082, as amended: An Ordinance Amending Title 17 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Contracts and Procurement,” by amending Chapter 17-1400, entitled “Non-Competitively Bid Contracts; Financial Assistance,” to provide procedures applicable to the awarding of contracts to non-City providers of vaccine doses for COVID-19 and related variants, all under certain terms and conditions. COUNCILMEMBER BASS MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES OF THE COUNCIL SO AS TO PERMIT CONSIDERATION THIS DAY OF BILL NO. 210082, AS AMENDED. 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. 210077: An Ordinance Authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2021 from the General Fund, the Council to the General Fund, the Department of Planning and Development. THE BILL WAS READ AND ORDERED PLACED ON NEXT WEEK'S SECOND READING CALENDAR. Bill No. 210120, as amended: An Ordinance Authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2021 from the General Fund, the Council to the General Fund, certain or all City offices, departments, boards and commissions, and thereby implementing Council’s “New Normal Jobs Initiative.” City of Philadelphia -6-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA THE BILL WAS READ AND ORDERED PLACED ON NEXT WEEK'S SECOND READING CALENDAR. Bill No. 210121: An Ordinance Authorizing transfers in appropriations for Fiscal Year 2021 from the Grants Revenue Fund, the Director of Finance - Provision for Other Grants, to the General Fund, the Managing Director, under certain terms and conditions. THE BILL WAS READ AND ORDERED PLACED ON NEXT WEEK'S SECOND READING CALENDAR. Bill No. 210073: An Ordinance Providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia of an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter providing for expansion of the Board of License and Inspection Review, as approved by Resolution of the City Council; fixing the date of a special election for such purpose; prescribing the form of ballot question to be voted on; and, authorizing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election. THE BILL WAS READ AND ORDERED PLACED ON NEXT WEEK'S SECOND READING CALENDAR. Bill No. 210080: An Ordinance Amending Section 20-610 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Statement of Financial Interests,” by revising the required conditions and information for filing, under certain terms and conditions. THE BILL WAS READ AND ORDERED PLACED ON NEXT WEEK'S SECOND READING CALENDAR. Bill No. 210082, as amended: An Ordinance Amending Title 17 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Contracts and Procurement,” by amending Chapter 17-1400, entitled “Non-Competitively Bid Contracts; Financial Assistance,” to provide procedures applicable to the awarding of contracts to non-City providers of vaccine doses for COVID-19 and related variants, all under certain terms and conditions. THE BILL WAS READ AND ORDERED PLACED ON NEXT WEEK'S SECOND READING CALENDAR. PUBLIC COMMENT The following persons provided public comment on February 25, 2021: Name and Comment Subject Tiffany Green (210142) Rashaun R. Williams (210144) Breanna Moore (210144) City of Philadelphia -7-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA Ari Merretazon (210144) Nabeelah Bey (210144) Maria Ortiz (210142) Pat White (210142) Vivian Burbage (210142) Anette Randolph (210142) Jake Zychick (210172) Nina Ahmad (210144) 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. BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS ON FINAL PASSAGE Resolution No. 210140: Resolution Authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to certain properties located in the Fifth Councilmanic District pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. City of Philadelphia -9-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA Resolution No. 210141: Resolution Recognizing and honoring Philadelphia native Stephen Fulton on becoming the Junior Featherweight World Boxing Champion. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 210142: Resolution Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1746 Annin Street, 2231, 2232, 2235, 2249, 2252, 2324 Cross Street, 2227 Fernon Street, 2224, 2256, 2305, 2309 Greenwich Street 2230 Reed Street, 2318 Tasker Street, 2214, 2220, 2222, 2239 2241, 2243 and 2315 Wilder Street located in the 2nd Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 210144: Resolution Calling on Congress to pass the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 210145: Resolution Honoring Michael Masch, on the occasion of his passing, for a lifetime of dedicated service to the people of Philadelphia. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 210146: Resolution Calling on the National Football League to discontinue the practice “race norming” in their concussion compensation program. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 210147: Resolution Honoring and congratulating Dr. Carl June on his receipt of the shared Dan David prize for his work at the University of Pennsylvania where he was a lead researcher in the development of the first personalized cellular therapy for cancer. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 210149: Resolution Honoring and congratulating the 2020-2021 Philadelphia Youth Poet Laureate, Cydney Brown, for her creativity, community work, and dedication to serving Philadelphia. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 210150: Resolution Recognizing the week of February 14, 2021 to February 20, 2021 as the first Black Girl Freedom Week to celebrate and honor Black girls and the unique challenges they face, as well as to invest in their safe, free, and successful futures. City of Philadelphia - 10 -  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 210151: Resolution Honoring and congratulating Deborah Archer for her new position as the first Black president of the American Civil Liberties Union. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 210153: Resolution Recognizing and honoring Philadelphia artist, musician, and anti-violence activist Michael “O.G. Law” Ta’Bon for his 15 years of work and advocacy on behalf of returning citizens, victims of crime, and disadvantaged youth in Philadelphia. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 210169: Resolution Authorizing the Committees on Finance and on Gun Violence Prevention to hold joint hearings regarding the connection between poverty, gun violence, and systemic racism in Philadelphia. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS ON SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE Bill No. 200617: An Ordinance Authorizing an initial 10-year conversion of the current Term with up-to two 5- year Renewal Terms for a Lease Agreement the City has entered into with the First Tee of Greater Philadelphia for operating, managing and maintaining the John F Byrne Golf Course, 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 SPECIAL BUSINESS SPEECHES COUNCILMEMBER JONES MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MOTION WAS DULY SECONDED AND AGREED TO. City of Philadelphia - 11 -