CITY COUNCIL

JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA Thursday, January 26, 2023 PRESENT: 16 - Councilmembers Oh, Squilla, Johnson, Jones, Council President Clarke, Bass, O'Neill, Brooks, Gauthier, Gilmore Richardson, Thomas, Driscoll, Lozada, Harrity, Vaughn and Phillips Council met, a quorum being present. Reverend Jeanette Davis of D.I.V.A.S Ministry Group was introduced and offered an appropriate prayer. COUNCILMEMBER BASS MOVED TO APPROVE THE JOURNAL of the meeting of January 19, 2023 THE MOTION WAS DULY SECONDED AND AGREED TO. COMMUNICATIONS The Sergeant-at-Arms was presented messages from the Mayor as follows: January 25, 2023 TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA: Pursuant to Sections 4-604 and 2-307 of the Home Rule Charter, I am today transmitting to the Council the recommendation of the City Planning Commission on the following bills: Bill No. 220918 - Approval with Amendments Bill No. 220944 - Approval with amendments Bill No. 220945 - Approval with amendments City of Philadelphia -1-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA Bill No. 220946 - Approval with amendments Bill No. 220948 - Approval with amendments Bill No. 220949 - Approval with amendments Bill No. 220950 - Approval with amendments Bill No. 220969 Bill No. 220970 Bill No. 220973 - Not for approval Sincerely, James F. Kenney Mayor (File No. 230048) THE COMMUNICATION WAS READ AND FILED. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS Councilmember Phillips Introduced and Ordered Placed on This Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Phillips: Resolution No. 230036: Resolution To commemorate the closing of Relish, the beloved West Oak Lane institution Councilmember Phillips Introduced and Ordered Placed on This Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Phillips: Resolution No. 230037: Resolution Authorizing the Committee on Children and Youth to conduct hearings to examine the state of Philadelphia’s child welfare workforce. Councilmember Gilmore Richardson Introduced and Ordered Placed on This Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson: Resolution No. 230038: Resolution Recognizing and honoring the Philadelphia High School for Girls on its Demisemiseptcentennial Anniversary - 175 years of academic excellence. Councilmember Johnson Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution for Council President Clarke, Sponsored by Councilmembers Johnson, Jones, Driscoll, Vaughn, Gilmore Richardson, Lozada, Harrity and Gauthier: Resolution No. 230039: Resolution Urging the United States Congress to pass the “Gun Records Restoration and Preservation Act”, introduced last session by U.S. City of Philadelphia -2-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.-13), which would repeal the Tiahrt Amendments, whose provisions have hampered efforts to address gun trafficking by, among other things, identifying and holding accountable irresponsible gun dealers and owners. Councilmember Johnson Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Johnson: Resolution No. 230040: Resolution Honoring the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. on the occasion of their 92nd North Atlantic Regional Conference, and declaring March 9, 2023 as "Alpha Kappa Alpha Day" in the City of Philadelphia. Councilmember Johnson Introduced and Ordered Placed on This Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Johnson: Resolution No. 230041: Resolution Recognizing February 1-7, 2023, as National Gun Violence Survivor Week, in honor of survivors of gun violence and the lifelong burdens they carry. Councilmember Johnson Introduced and Ordered Placed on This Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Johnson: Resolution No. 230042: Resolution Honoring the life and legacy of South Philadelphia Legendary Disc Jockey and Entertainer Jerry Blavat known as "The Geator with the Heater" and "The Boss with the Hot Sauce”. Councilmember Vaughn Introduced and Ordered Placed on This Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Vaughn: Resolution No. 230043: Resolution Recognizing Berisford “BJ” Jones, co-chair of the Philadelphia Police Department LGBTQ Liaison Committee, for his tireless efforts toward improving relations between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Resolution No. 230044: Resolution Condemning the Union League of Philadelphia for bestowing its highest honor, the Gold Medal, upon Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Councilmember Harrity Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmembers Harrity and Driscoll: Resolution No. 230045: Resolution Urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to introduce legislation allowing Cities and Counties of the First Class to set their own minimum wage laws. City of Philadelphia -3-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA Councilmember Gauthier Introduced and Referred the following Bill, Sponsored by Councilmember Gauthier: Bill No. 230033: An Ordinance Authorizing the vacating of Sloan Street from Ogden Street to its terminus northwardly therefrom and the reserving and plotting upon City Plan No. 106 of a right-of-way for sewer and drainage purposes and public utility purposes within the lines of said Sloan Street being vacated and authorizing acceptance of the grant to the City of the said right-of-way, under certain terms and conditions. THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES. Councilmember Gauthier Introduced and Referred the following Bill, Sponsored by Councilmember Gauthier: Bill No. 230034: An Ordinance To amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Haverford Avenue, 44th Street, Belmont Avenue, Girard Avenue, and 40th Street. THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE ON RULES. Bill No. 230035: An Ordinance Authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 370 by striking from the City Plan Southampton Road from Bustleton Avenue to its terminus southeastwardly therefrom, under certain terms and conditions. THE BILL WAS REFFERED TO THE COMMITTEE ON STREETS AND SERVICES. Councilmember Squilla Introduced and Ordered Placed On Next Week's Final Passage Calendar the following Resolution, Sponsored by Councilmember Squilla: Resolution No. 230046: Resolution Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 3001 Martha Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code. Resolution No. 230047: Resolution Recognizing and honoring Rodney Little for his exemplary and outstanding service as a dedicated military officer and public servant. THE RESOLUTION WAS WITHDRAWN. CONSIDERATION OF THE CALENDAR PUBLIC COMMENT The following persons provided public comment on January 26, 2023 City of Philadelphia -4-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA Name and Comment Subject Enique Hervada (220918) Morgan Moore (220918) Ben Dewan (220918) Lisa Mesi (230038) Dr. Constance Clayton (230038) Sage Charles (230038) Lynn Landes (210913) Katrice Cheaton (210396) Dr. Mary Palmer (230038) See Notes of Testimony for full comment. City of Philadelphia -5-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA Please note that this is an in-person meeting, and it is open to the public. This meeting may also be viewed on Xfinity Channel 64, Fios Channel 40 or http://phlcouncil.com/watch-city-council/ Public comment will be received in-person regarding those matters printed on the agenda on the following pages. Speakers interested in participating in public comment at this meeting may call 215-686-3406 by no later than 3 p.m. the day before the meeting and they must submit the following information: • Full name (including proper pronunciation and spelling) • Identify the bill number or resolution number that will be addressed • State whether you support or oppose that particular bill or resolution • Telephone number where you can be reached Speakers may also sign-up to participate in public comment on the day of the meeting in Room 400, City Hall. Speakers who submitted the above information within the required time frame will be added to the list. Speakers 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 testimony where repetitious comments are offered on an agenda item. City of Philadelphia -6-  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 -7-  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. 230014: Resolution Approving the reappointment of Wendell Anthony Ewing to the Philadelphia Water, Sewer and Storm Water Rate Board. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 230018: Resolution Authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2315, 2316, 2317, 2318, 2337, 2339, 2349 Greenwich Street; 1709, 1711, 1822R - 34, 1836 Point Breeze Avenue; 1555 S. Ringgold Street; 2445 Federal Street and 2329 Ellsworth Street located in the 2nd District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 230019: Resolution Appointing Albert Littlepage to the board of directors of the Philadelphia Land Bank. THE RESOLUTION WAS WITHDRAWN. Resolution No. 230021: Resolution Authorizing requests to the Law Department to represent City Council in an appeal from decisions of the Department of Licenses and Inspections to the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment or the License and Inspection Review Board and, if the Law Department declines to render such services to City Council, authorizing the retention of outside counsel to provide such services. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Bill No. 220918-AA, as amended: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 14-500 of the Philadelphia Zoning Code, entitled “Overlay Zoning Districts,” by creating a new subsection, entitled “Cobbs Creek Golf Course Overlay District,” all under certain City of Philadelphia -8-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA terms and conditions. THE BILL WAS READ. Bill No. 220918-AA, as amended: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 14-500 of the Philadelphia Zoning Code, entitled “Overlay Zoning Districts,” by creating a new subsection, entitled “Cobbs Creek Golf Course Overlay District,” all under certain terms and conditions. THE BILL WAS AMENDED. THE BILL WAS ORDERED PLACED ON FINAL PASSAGE CALENDAR FOR NEXT MEETING.. BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS ON SECOND READING AND FINAL PASSAGE Bill No. 220770: An Ordinance To amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the measurements of zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Cottman Avenue, Oxford Avenue, Tyson Avenue, Rising Sun Avenue, Glenview Street, Bingham Street, Kerper Street, Rising Sun Avenue, Unruh Avenue, Martins Mill Road, City Boundary, and Hasbrook Avenue. THE BILL WAS READ AND PASSED. The Ayes and Nays were as follows: Ayes: 16 Councilmembers Oh, Squilla, Johnson, Jones, Council President Clarke, Bass, O'Neill, Brooks, Gauthier, Gilmore Richardson, Thomas, Driscoll, Lozada, Harrity, Vaughn and Phillips Nays: 0 Bill No. 220942, as amended: An Ordinance To amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designation of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Parkside Avenue, 49th Street, Jefferson Street, and 48th Street (extended). THE BILL WAS READ AND PASSED. The Ayes and Nays were as follows: Ayes: 16 Councilmembers Oh, Squilla, Johnson, Jones, Council President Clarke, Bass, O'Neill, Brooks, Gauthier, Gilmore Richardson, Thomas, Driscoll, Lozada, Harrity, Vaughn and Phillips Nays: 0 RESOLUTIONS City of Philadelphia -9-  JOURNAL OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA Resolution No. 230037: Resolution Authorizing the Committee on Children and Youth to conduct hearings to examine the state of Philadelphia’s child welfare workforce. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 230036: Resolution To commemorate the closing of Relish, the beloved West Oak Lane institution THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 230038: Resolution Recognizing and honoring the Philadelphia High School for Girls on its Demisemiseptcentennial Anniversary - 175 years of academic excellence. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 230041: Resolution Recognizing February 1-7, 2023, as National Gun Violence Survivor Week, in honor of survivors of gun violence and the lifelong burdens they carry. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 230042: Resolution Honoring the life and legacy of South Philadelphia Legendary Disc Jockey and Entertainer Jerry Blavat known as "The Geator with the Heater" and "The Boss with the Hot Sauce”. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. Resolution No. 230043: Resolution Recognizing Berisford “BJ” Jones, co-chair of the Philadelphia Police Department LGBTQ Liaison Committee, for his tireless efforts toward improving relations between law enforcement and the communities they serve. THE RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED. SPEECHES COUNCILMEMBER SQUILLA MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MOTION WAS DULY SECONDED AND AGREED TO. City of Philadelphia - 10 -