STATED MEETING 1 10/6/2022 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING City Hall, Room 400 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, October 6, 2022 10:35 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN MICHAEL DRISCOLL COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILWOMAN HELEN GYM COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN DAVID OH COUNCILMAN BRIAN J. O'NEILL COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILMAN ISAIAH THOMAS MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK STATED MEETING 2 10/6/2022
Good morning. We're going to get started. I'm going to ask the members to please take their seats, and guests and visitors if you will please retire behind the rail, we can get started. Thank you. Thank you all for being here today. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Pastor Jeffrey Gaskins of Living Waters Christian Center. He is here today as the guest of Councilwoman Gauthier. I would ask all members and guests to please rise. (Councilmembers and guests rise.)
Let us pray. Our God and our Father, we thank you for this Council, for diverse people from diverse places coming together for one purpose, to take up the STATED MEETING 3 10/6/2022 We pray, oh God, that you would bless the discourse, the discussion, and dialogue that takes place in this space to be transformed to your will, your plan, and your purpose. We pray, God, that you would bless these with your wisdom, your guidance, and your insight. We pray that you would heal our city, heal our streets, heal our communities. We pray, oh God, that you will be glorified in this space. We pray these prayers and blessings in your name. And let us all say amen and amen. (Amen.)
Thank you so much, Pastor. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.) STATED MEETING 4 10/6/2022
Again, Pastor, thank you so much for your spiritual guidance this morning. We appreciate it. At this time, the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
Yes. Good morning, Council President. Good morning, colleagues. I wanted to just take a moment to recognize the members of the George Washington High School Spirit Team who are here today. They are the first team in the School District of Philadelphia to make its way to the National Cheerleading Association's National Competition, which they will do in January of 2023, and we will be honoring them with a small ceremony after Council with citations for these young women, and we'll be moving their resolution through Council later today. But I just wanted to take a moment to recognize this award-winning STATED MEETING 5 10/6/2022 their coaches, Ms. Michele Socki-Sorkin, and their assistant coaches as well and just thank them for coming down here today to City Hall. We honor you, we celebrate you, and we're thrilled for you.
Awesome. Please rise. Please stand up. (Applause.)
Congratulations, and bring back the gold. Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I too want to rise to recognize visitors today, George Matysik from Share in particular who is here. But for his organization around the City, food insecurities would have been at an all-time high during the pandemic. I cannot count the number of STATED MEETING 6 10/6/2022 done in Wynnefield, in West Philly, in North Philly, and we are thankful for his organization and welcome him to Council. Can we give him a round of applause. (Applause.)
Secondly, Mr. President, if you will indulge, I have Temple Law here coming down to observe us, to critique us, to see how we pass public policy. Can you welcome them to the Chambers as well. (Applause.)
STATED MEETING 7 10/6/2022 you, sir. We always need good lawyers, so hang around. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. Thank you all so much, and thank you all for being here. We really appreciate it. Our next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 29th, 2022, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 29th, 2022 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 29th, 2022 stand approved. All in favor indicate by saying aye. STATED MEETING 8 10/6/2022 (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and our Journal is approved. And our next order of business is the request for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the members of Council, there is a request for leave of absence from Member Johnson.
Thank you, Councilman. Leave shall be granted for Councilman Johnson. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla for a motion concerning certain legislative matters that may arise during the course of today's session of Council that were not listed on the Calendar circulated prior to today's session. STATED MEETING 9 10/6/2022
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 amended agenda after the consideration of those matters: resolutions authorizing hearings, amendments to bills on first reading, the consideration of bills vetoed by or re-called from the Mayor, amendments to bills 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 in the STATED MEETING 10 10/6/2022 prior to today's session. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the legislative matters stated by Councilman Squilla may be added to the agenda for today, should those matters arise during the course of this session. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and the motion passes. And our next order of business is communications, and I would ask the Clerk to please read the messages from the Mayor and any other communication that he may have in his possession.
From the Mayor to STATED MEETING 11 10/6/2022 the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am hereby returning without my signature Bill No. 220007, which was passed by Council at its session on September 22, 2022. And I am transmitting for the consideration of your honorable body a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 239 North Paxon Street; 5804 Hazel Avenue in the Third Councilmanic District, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. That concludes the messages from the Mayor and communications, and our next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. And, Mr. Decker, please read the titles of the legislation that's being offered today by our members for STATED MEETING 12 10/6/2022 today's session.
Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson offers one bill and one resolution. On behalf of Council President Clarke, an ordinance authorizing the Procurement Commissioner to enter into agreements to purchase electricity, natural gas and motor fuel for use by the City in City facilities and vehicles, including agreements that obligate payment for delivery of such energy supplies in future fiscal years.
And on her own behalf, Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson offers a privileged resolution recognizing and honoring MISKEEN ORIGINALS and its co-founders for over 20 years of producing wearable works of art during Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week 2022.
Councilwoman Gym with Councilman O'Neill offers a privileged resolution honoring the outstanding and historic achievement of the George Washington High School Competitive Spirit Team for becoming the first team in the School District of Philadelphia to earn a spot in the National Cheerleaders Association High School Nationals Competition.
Councilman Thomas offers a privileged resolution honoring and congratulating Champion of the Week, Zuhairah McGill, founder of the First World Theatre Ensemble in West Philadelphia, for representing Philadelphia at the National Black Theatre festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Councilman Jones STATED MEETING 14 10/6/2022 offers two bills and three resolutions, entitled "An ordinance authorizing the owner of 3542 Calumet Street, Philadelphia, PA 19129, to install, own, and maintain various encroachments at such property."
And an ordinance establishing a no truck parking regulation on both sides of Marlyn Road from Jefferson Street to Lebanon Avenue.
On behalf of Council President Clarke, a resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to certain City-owned lots or pieces of ground with the buildings and improvements thereon situate in the Fifth Councilmanic District. STATED MEETING 15 10/6/2022
And also on behalf of Council President Clarke, a resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless to hold public hearings examining MV Realty of Pennsylvania and their Homeowner Benefits Agreement and the impact these agreements may have on Philadelphia homeowners.
And on his own behalf, Councilman Jones offers a privileged resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless to hold public hearings examining Brooklyn's Nehemiah Program and its possible implementation in Philadelphia to increase the City's affordable housing availability.
Councilwoman Brooks offers one bill, entitled "An ordinance amending Bill No. 220051-A, entitled 'An ordinance amending Section 9-4116 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled '2021 Public Health Emergency Leave,' to establish additional leave time under certain circumstance, modifying existing provisions concerning the paid sick leave, and making technical changes, all under certain terms and conditions,' to clarify the modifications to The Philadelphia Code intended to be made by the Bill, and make technical changes."
Councilwoman Gauthier offers three resolutions, a privileged resolution recognizing the Drexel University Black Alumni Council for the release of its first book, "A Legacy to Share, Navigating Life's Challenges and Celebrating Our Greatest STATED MEETING 17 10/6/2022 Achievements."
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 239 North Paxon Street and 5804 Hazel Avenue in the Third Councilmanic District.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 759, 761, 763, 773, 779 and 783 Pallas Street and 4041 Cambridge Street located in the 3rd Councilmanic District.
Councilman O'Neill offers an ordinance amending Section 12-919 of The Philadelphia Code, STATED MEETING 18 10/6/2022 entitled "On-Street Parking of Boats, Motor Homes, Truck Campers, Semitrailers, Truck Tractors, and Vending Carts," to provide prohibitions on semitrailer and truck tractor parking in the Tenth District of Council.
Councilman Squilla offers a privileged resolution designating the week of Sunday, October 9 through Saturday October 15, 2022 as "Italian American Heritage Week" in the City of Philadelphia and honoring Deana Martin as the Grand Marshall of the 2022 Philadelphia Italian American Parade.
Councilwoman Bass offers one resolution urging The Council of the City of Philadelphia to hold hearings regarding the Transfer Agreement and to determine whether the City should enter into such Agreement regarding the STATED MEETING 19 10/6/2022 terms of the Atwater Kent Collection transfer agreement between the City of Philadelphia and Drexel University in order to ensure adequate stewardship of the Collection.
That will be on this week's Calendar. Sorry, Councilwoman. That will be referred to committee.
Councilman Oh offers a privileged resolution honoring the life and legacy of Samuel Tin-sing Mok for his exemplary and outstanding service to the United States as a trailblazing military officer, statesman, public servant, and entrepreneur.
There are no other bills or resolutions being offered today by the members, Mr. President.
STATED MEETING 20 10/6/2022 much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions, and our next order of business will be reports from committee. And the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gauthier for a report from the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless.
Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless reports out one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Mr. Decker, please read that report.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless, to which was referred Bill No. 220655, entitled "An ordinance amending STATED MEETING 21 10/6/2022 9-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Landlord and Tenant,' to modify requirements and authorizations related to the City's residential eviction diversion program, including associated changes to the landlord and tenant relationship, and to make certain technical changes," respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Gauthier.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 220655. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of STATED MEETING 22 10/6/2022 as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 220655. All those in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and this will be on our First Reading Calendar today. That concludes our reports from committee, and our next order of business is consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bill just reported from committee with a suspension of the rules has been deemed to have had its first reading. It will be on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar at our next session of Council. There are no additional bills on the First Reading, so the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for the STATED MEETING 23 10/6/2022 2ND READING purpose of calling up resolutions and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 220784, 220786, 220787, 220788, and 220789. All other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you, Councilman. So before the consideration of these bills and resolutions on the Calendar, we will have our public comment session. The public comment session will go as follows: Your public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar on the Calendar today. All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you have not already signed up, now is your time to do so. If you want to sign up to testify STATED MEETING 24 10/6/2022 today and you have not done so, there's a table in the hallway. You can do so now. Once you have signed up, you will be called in the order in which your name appears on the sign-up sheet. Today we will have three minutes to speak. However, the time limit may vary from time to time based on the volume of individuals wishing to testify, but today we'll have three minutes. So please adjust your comments to reflect the three-minute timeline. In order to be fair to all those wishing to speak, I intend to hold faithfully to the established time limit. So when you begin speaking, you will see a green light on the podium, and when there are 30 seconds remaining on your time, the light will turn yellow, which is your reminder to conclude your remarks. Once three minutes have passed, the light will turn red, and the Sergeant-of-Arms will disconnect the microphone at that point. Please yield STATED MEETING 25 10/6/2022 the podium to the next speaker, if you have not already done so. I also reserve the right pursuant to our rules of Council to limit repetitious comment on the same subject matter. I appreciate and anticipate your cooperation on this matter, because we want to make sure that everybody has an opportunity to testify today that wishes to do so. I also want to thank you all for coming down to express your views about the function of your government. Mr. Decker, please read the first name on our list of our public speakers today.
The first speaker today, Mr. President, is Angela Dowd-Burton, commenting on 220821. (Speaker approached podium.)
Good morning, STATED MEETING 26 10/6/2022 President Clarke and members of City Council. My name is Angela Dowd-Burton. I am a member of the Drexel University Black Alumni Council and Editor-in-Chief of A Legacy to Share, Navigating Life's Challenges and Celebrating Our Greatest Achievements. Thank you, Councilwoman Gauthier, for introducing this resolution in recognition of this award-winning literary work, which documents the great determination, success, and gratitude of 56 Black Drexel alumni. This book is a reference tool for education, history, and culture written by men and women from Philadelphia public, private, and parochial schools and those who chose to relocate here. All shared our support for young Black leaders by helping to create a vision of their potential and a pathway for their success. It provides a navigational tool for both high school and college STATED MEETING 27 10/6/2022 students, parents and advocates, and professionals seeking proven advancement strategies. The proceeds from the book go directly into the Drexel University Black Alumni Scholarship Fund. In addition to the 56 short stories and the life lessons shared in this book, we also included a historical perspective of three alums: William Sidney Pittman, the first Black graduate of Drexel in 1900, who was referred to the institute by Booker T. Washington, President of Tuskegee Institute; Barbara Johns Powell, whose statue replaced the Robert E. Lee statue in Virginia, acknowledging her fight for education; And the Honorable Councilwoman Augusta Clark, a fierce advocate for children and education. This book also includes infographics, a historical list of Black notables, including students, faculty, STATED MEETING 28 10/6/2022 and administrators, the Black experience at WKDU Radio, and so much more. I wish to publicly thank my editorial team, Dr. Adrienne Goodrich-Doctor, Jeffrey Howland, and Betty Jean Wolfe, as well as President John Fry, who wrote the Forward and, finally, the Drexel University Black Alumni Council and campus community who supported us. I leave you with this African proverb: Until the lion learns to write, the story will glorify the hunter. We encourage others to write their stories and own their narrative of resilience. We owe it to ourselves, our community, our ancestors, and the next generation. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.) STATED MEETING 29 10/6/2022
The next speaker is Jerry Martin, commenting on 220821. (Speaker approached podium.)
Good morning. State your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony.
Jerry Martin. Good morning, President Clarke and members of City Council. I am Jerry Martin, President of Drexel University Black Alumni Council, also known as DUBAC. It is an honor to attend today's meeting to support the resolution A Legacy to Share, Navigating Life's Challenges and Celebrating Our Greatest Achievement. I would like to thank Councilwoman Gauthier for introducing this resolution. Today is a special moment for our organization to celebrate and one to remember. Approved as an affinity group of Drexel University in 2014, our organization had been very impactful engaging alumni, supporting students and STATED MEETING 30 10/6/2022 the University. We have remained true to our cause, providing 11 scholarships to deserving students since 2016. The publishing of our first book, A Legacy to Share, is a testament to our goodwill and respect our organization had received and earned. We have sold over 1,000 books, with the proceeds from the sale supporting our recently endowed scholarship fund. Support from Drexel President John Fry, Board of Trustee alumni, along with our collaboration with Drexel Publishing Group has allowed us to publish over 50 amazing essays of talented Black alumni sharing their challenges and successes during their college years and beyond. The book will be a great reference to uphold the current perspective and students. As President, I would like to acknowledge Angela Dowd-Burton and her editorial team for bringing this project to fruition and DUBAC's Executive Board STATED MEETING 31 10/6/2022 for making our organization one of the best at the University. I encourage the passing of this resolution. I thank you.
Thank you so much for your testimony. We appreciate it.
The next speaker is Michele Socki, commenting on 220816. (Speakers approached podium.)
State your name for the record. Please proceed with your testimony.
Michele Sorkin-Socki. Good morning. My name is Michele Sorkin-Socki and next to me is Veronica Hayes, and we are both head coaches of the George Washington High STATED MEETING 32 10/6/2022 School Competitive Spirit Team. To say we are honored to be here today is an understatement. We are so proud of the young student-athletes sitting in front of us. We are so proud of the student-athletes who have come before them that have helped get us to this point. It didn't just happen overnight, rather it has taken years of hard work, dedication, persistence, tough choices, and many sleepless nights. Through wins and losses, COVID struggles and successes, we are now here and prepared to embark on a truly significant and memorable experience. We are told that what we are doing is unprecedented. Being able to raise the necessary funds to get us to the NCA Nationals would be close to impossible. When Kristen Graham from the Philadelphia Inquirer came and met with us and our kids, she was certain that the citizens of Philadelphia would rally STATED MEETING 33 10/6/2022 around us. They will root for you, and they have and they did. Veronica and I can hardly believe that this has happened. We are taking these students out of the City and putting them in a national-level competition to show the nation what the City of Philadelphia and our public league athletes can do. What they can do and what they will do is represent not only George Washington High School in the most powerful way, but they will represent the School District of Philadelphia and uphold the standards and values that we cherish most. Veronica and I are both products of the School District of Philadelphia, myself a George Washington High School graduate, class of 1999, and Veronica, a Lincoln High School graduate, class of 2006. We ourselves were given such memorable experiences as students, as members of the dance team, cheerleading team, as well as various STATED MEETING 34 10/6/2022 other extracurricular activities. We can truly think of no better way to reciprocate these memories than to provide our own students with unique opportunities to compete against the very best of the nation while also making lifelong memories and friendships. We thank everyone for their generosity and support, especially Helen Gym and Brian J. O'Neill, and we cannot wait to represent the City of Philadelphia in Dallas, Texas. (Applause.)
The next speaker is Adamaris Lopez, commenting on 220816. (Speakers approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Adamaris Lopez-Lopez. And? STATED MEETING 35 10/6/2022
We are both senior captains of the George Washington High School Competitive Spirit Team. We have been part of this team since our freshman year and we are now four-year members. Seeing this team grow has been an amazing experience. Although having to say good-bye to our seniors has been very difficult each year. We can imagine what it will be like saying good-bye after a year we are about to have. This experience has been a dream. This experience, along with our coaches and our teammates, is going to be something we will remember for the rest of our lives. Our coaches have been our second parents throughout these years. They have also pushed us to be the best we can be and helped to shape the people we have become today. Now they are the ones leading us to a dream that every STATED MEETING 36 10/6/2022 little cheerleader dreams about, being on the NCA national stage in Dallas, Texas.
It makes us happy that we're able to teach and guide others and show what we have learned over the past four years. We as a team are very excited to compete at a higher level, the highest in fact. It is an honor for us to be the representatives of all the Philadelphia public schools, and we want to encourage others in the School District of Philadelphia to do the same. Fundraising the money for NCA has been a roller coaster experience for our team, from worrying about not being able to meet our goals, to waking up from the love and support from our city. We want to thank our city, our community, our school, our team and, most importantly, our coaches for everyone who believes in us and support us. Thank you for the opportunity. We will make the City proud at NCA 2023. STATED MEETING 37 10/6/2022 (Applause.)
The next speaker is Medusa Carter, commenting on 220787. (Speaker approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Medusa Carter. We are talking today about Resolution 220787. As a community organizer and a directly impacted advocate for the currently and formerly incarcerated women, trans, and non-binary people in Pennsylvania, it is an honor to be here. We thank you, Councilwoman Brooks, for this resolution. In 2019, impacted leaders went to the State Representative Morgan Cephas and asked to be a part of making the Dignity for Incarcerated Women's bill more comprehensive by allowing the voices STATED MEETING 38 10/6/2022 of justice-impacted and gender-oppressed people to weigh in. We then went to State Rep Summer Lee and State Rep Elizabeth Fiedler and the people's rep, Movita Johnson-Harrell, and we created policy and helped to introduce legislation demonstrating the true meaning of co-governance in our communities. Needless to say, we co-founded the Dignity Act Now Collective, which went from a campaign to a collective. Today we are here for two reasons. Because state-sanctioned patriarch of violence against women, trans, and non-binary people is egregious and it violates the human and civil liberties of mothers and caregivers in Pennsylvania and, two, because of the blood, sweat, and tears and the collective actions of organizers, leaders, and people in our community. As we speak, pregnant mothers are in solitary confinement in conditions STATED MEETING 39 10/6/2022 that are inhumane, with asbestos and mold. They are currently being held in the PICC. In SCI Muncy, mothers and caregivers do not have access to clean water to drink and to bathe in. Reproductive justice is a human right, and it is under attack at every level of government right now, positioning incarcerated pregnant people underneath the whims of a system that dehumanizes mothers. Eighty percent of women in jails are mothers, and most of them are primary caretakers for their children. These children carry the failures of our brutal and heartless carceral system. If we do nothing else, more parents, children, and families will continue to be humiliated and harmed by a system that we pay for. According to the ACLU, since 1970 the rate of incarceration in America has expanded more than fourfold, and the United States leads the world in locking STATED MEETING 40 10/6/2022 people up. Many places in America have begun to reduce their prisons and jails, but progress has been uneven. Although the number of people sent to state prisons and county jails in urban areas has decreased, the number has continued to rise in rural areas. Racial disparities in incarceration remains strikingly wide, and women constitute this rising number of those behind bars. Today we urge you to reach out to your senators. These dignity bills were passed unanimously in the House of Representatives, and we are seeking to have it unanimously passed in the Senate. Please reach out to your Senators. And thank you again for your time. (Applause.)
The next speaker is Rachel Santiago, commenting on 220787. STATED MEETING 41 10/6/2022 (Speaker approached podium.)
I am speaking on Resolution 220787. As you can see, I am a vision of my living experience. Majority of you here in the Council, our members, members of our community may not realize it, but I'm a formerly impacted individual. A little bit of history of myself. I am an advocate for restorative justice for women in reentry currently for Noah's Ark, as well as a former co-founder of Dignity Act Now Collective and assisted in the last three years in getting the dignity bills up and running. I've been a great support, but also I'm a formerly incarcerated individual, and my past experience and career is, I was a former coordinator for STATED MEETING 42 10/6/2022 Second Drug and Alcohol as well as a nurse practitioner. Yes, I practiced medicine. During my time of incarceration, even though later on down the line the case deems as an accident, but I still was forced to take a deal bargain, because I didn't know my rights at that time. So I ended up in incarceration. I miscarriaged my children in the prison system. Lack of reproductive negligence in the medical healthcare field rendered me now as I stand in front of you, I am completely blind and deaf to the left side, nearly blind to the right side, and negative 15 in my right eye. I sustained a tumor to the left frontal, left cortex of my brain due to stress and, again, lack of reproductive justice in the system and accountabilities for the care of women behind the walls. I spent three years on chemo, STATED MEETING 43 10/6/2022 but prior to that, my condition was being terminal almost, nearly terminal, behind the wall where they took an accountability to send me out for care in emergency room. I was shackled. I couldn't see. I was blind completely for over two weeks. I had to rely on inmates in the facility to make sure that they made sure that I eat, fed, shower, and go to my classes and everything, because I also taught GED courses for the individual women who lacked higher education behind the walls. And during my time, the shackling of transport was very difficult. Mind you, you're shackled. You can't lift your knees up properly. People have to push you up and into the vehicle. I wasn't pregnant at the time, but my procedures that entailed at that time was a spinal tap. The needle had to be inserted 22 inches into my lower spine and traveled 42 inches to the neck of my spine of the skull to drain fluids, STATED MEETING 44 10/6/2022 because the rare condition that I had for the autoimmune disease made me look like the elephant man effect. If you notice, your scars deform. You lost functions of the muscles of the face and so forth. So I can imagine as a parent to giving birth, shackled in that type of condition is considered to the equivalence of 26 bones broken at the same time. So it's important to know that we need to uplift this bill.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.)
The next speaker is Veronica Rex, commenting on 220787. (Speaker approached podium.)
Good morning. Just state your name for the record and please proceed with your testimony. STATED MEETING 45 10/6/2022
Good morning. I'm here for Resolution No. 220787. My name is Veronica Rex. I'm a supports coordinator for the Philadelphia Community Bail Fund and a core organizer with the Dignity Act Now Collective. I stand here as a mother who had to witness my pregnant daughter being shackled and taken out of my home in the middle of the night. My daughter was already home on house arrest. I couldn't understand why they were coming to get her and what had went wrong within the system. There was an error. I asked questions to find out what was going on. I was told that if I asked -- if I said another word, that my daughter would not return home. I still have that vision of my daughter standing there with tears streaming down her face and saying, "Mom, please don't say anything else." As a mother, I felt so hopeless, because I couldn't support my STATED MEETING 46 10/6/2022 20-year-old daughter at that time. I can still see my daughter with only a nightshirt on and me having to go get her pants and put her pants on her, because her hands were already handcuffed. And then as they proceeded to take her out of the door, I had to say, "She needs a coat." It was in the middle of December. However, they didn't even uncuff her to put the coat on. They threw it over the back of her shoulders. Not only do the correctional officers need emotional trauma training, so do the police office of the districts and the warrant unit. I would like to give special thanks to Representative Morgan Cephas, Representative Mike Jones and their work in the House making this a bipartisan bill. A shout-out to the co-governance of Dream Court, Ms. Tonie Willis of Ardella's House, and an extra special acknowledgement to Councilwoman Kendra Brooks. STATED MEETING 47 10/6/2022 Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
The next speaker is Peter Winslow, commenting on 220634. (Speaker approached podium.)
My name is Peter Winslow. I'm a Philadelphia resident. I speak to you today as President of A Smart Collaboration, as a representative of the Philadelphia Public Banking Coalition, and as a candidate that you recommended to the Mayor for appointment to the initial Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Public Financial Authority. Good morning. Thank you, President Clarke and members of the Council, for this STATED MEETING 48 10/6/2022 opportunity to speak in support of Bill No. 220634 to establish the North Broad Business Improvement District. We all want this business improvement district to succeed, and that's where the Philadelphia Public Financial Authority comes in. The first business improvement district in the City is the Center City District, which was established in 1990 under the Municipal Authorities Act of 1945. Subsequent neighborhood improvement districts had been established under the Community and Economic Improvement Act of 1998. The Center City District has been with us for 32 years, is very successful. Some of the other organizations have come and gone, and different stories that are interesting that I won't go into the details of their history at this time. We want the new Broad Renaissance that's going to be the neighborhood improvement district STATED MEETING 49 10/6/2022 management association to be successful. Business improvement districts are usually successful in affluent communities or gentrifying communities where there is sufficient money available within the businesses of that district to support the improvement activity. Many lower-income communities are unsuccessful because they don't have these advantages, but what you have done with this act, the mechanism that is empowered is that you allow these limited local taxing authority to self-assess for the common good. That creates a revenue stream. That revenue stream can be leveraged and be invested forward, with the help of a financial authority. The mechanism is not necessarily particularly complex, but we can't do this until we establish the Financial Authority, and the Mayor refuses to implement the law. So I invite all of you members of City Council and everybody else who is STATED MEETING 50 10/6/2022 here and the press to attend a rally that's being sponsored tomorrow by the Philadelphia Public Banking Coalition right out here on the north plaza where we will be issuing a people's subpoena to the Mayor to explain why he has not implemented the law. After all, that's his job. That's the only thing that he is supposed to do, is to implement the law, and we ask him to do that. Please join us. Thank you.
The next speaker is Tinika Hogan, commenting on 220787. (Speaker approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Tinika Hogan, pronouns she and her. I represent Sankofa Healing Studio STATED MEETING 51 10/6/2022 and Still We Rise Freedom Coalition. I'm a current advocate for trans and binary individuals. I support this bill because of my own personal experience. I remember during my incarceration, I was allergic to sanitary products that were provided by the PDP. There was no alternative given or nothing else for me to do being allergic to the product. No support or advocacy was given to me for that, so I was left to make do with whatever means or resources that I had. I felt like my femininity was violated and I was denied proper supplies. I just want to give a special thanks to Councilwoman Kendra Brooks in supporting and acknowledging the dignity bill and for this day of resolutions. Thanks to Helen Gym for being a part of this and for co-sponsoring. Thanks to all the State Representatives and Councilwomen that helped to move this STATED MEETING 52 10/6/2022 forward, also Morgan Cephas and Mike Jones for your hard work and political leadership in the House. I ask that we vote SB 1419. And I want to give a special shout-out to a few organizations that helped support this bill as well: Sankofa Healing Studio, Why Not Prosper, Kendra Brooks, Councilwoman at-large, Reentry Think Tank, Beyond Literacy, the Prison Society, ACLU, New Voices, Lutheran Settlement Home, and a bunch of others. Thank you for all your support. Again, vote 1419.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.)
The next speaker is Ogbonna Hagins, commenting on 220658. (Speaker approached podium.)
Good morning. How you doing, everyone? I'm speaking on Bill 200658 introduced by Councilman Jones, an ordinance authorizing the installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Upland Way and Berks Street. That's a no-brainer. That's a very dangerous intersection there. I'm in that area at least once a week, and, finally, you know, it's been brought to the Councilman's attention. But I also would like to remind Council about a Home Rule Charter that was introduced about four years ago. It was introduced by Council President Darrell Clarke, public safety officers, public safety enforcement officers, to ensure that City streets are safe for all. Council President, you were quoted saying that we could have the toughest laws on the books, but what good are those laws if they're not enforced. This holds true as it relates to the STATED MEETING 54 10/6/2022 dumping in the City and the littering in the City. It is illegal to do these things, but what good does it do if we don't have enforcement. And I'm not talking about enforcement that will possibly pay people to dime on people, to, you know, use the public to do the jobs that our public officials should be doing. And on the subject of dumping in this dirty city, you know that 30 percent, 30 percent of crime and violence would be reduced by a clean and green city. You know I'm known as Philly Green Man. I go throughout the City identifying usable goods that people throw away, but in doing so, I see how dirty the City is, and recognizing that 30 percent of crime could be decreased by greening and cleaning the City, and it's not being done by this body. What are you guys thinking about? You heard about someone who was shot at the recreation center just STATED MEETING 55 10/6/2022 yesterday, and you're not dealing with the issue of cleaning the City. It's been going on for at least a decade now, where we have a former -- a Mayor in New Orleans that came to the City that thanked us for housing their people after the hurricane, but said that this was a dirty city. What are we going to do, City Council? What are we going to do, City Council? We want to stop youth violence? You want to stop youth violence just by having a curfew? Yeah, that's good. Okay. It may work. But you also have to clean the City up. So as a member of the City, as a member of the cleaning of the City, I'm advising you to recognize that the Bible says something to the effect that cleanliness is next to Godliness. So no wonder this city is so ungodly, because it's so dirty. Thank you.
STATED MEETING 56 10/6/2022 10/6/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Thank you for your testimony, and I concur.
There are no other speakers on the public comment list, Mr. President.
Thank you very much. That concludes our public comment for today. Again, thank you all for participating in your government in action. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 220784.
A resolution also naming the 4100 Block of Monument Road as "Jim Gardner Way," in honor of Jim Garner to commemorate his retirement after a decades long career in broadcast journalism as an anchor with 6ABC.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones. STATED MEETING 57 10/6/2022 10/6/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 220786.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 650, 658, and 662 North Conestoga Street, 5436 West Girard Avenue, 5552 Harmer Street, 653 North Sickels Street, 534 through 36 North 54th STATED MEETING 58 10/6/2022 10/6/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Street, 538 through 40 North 54th Street, 546 North 54th Street, 550 North 54th Street, 623 through 33 North 55th Street located in the 4th Councilmanic District.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you again, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is STATED MEETING 59 10/6/2022 10/6/22 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 220787.
A resolution urging the Pennsylvania State Senate and Governor Tom Wolf to pass House Bill 1419, known as the "Dignity for Incarcerated Women" Act, intended to improve conditions and treatment of pregnant people in Pennsylvania's jails and prisons.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Brooks.
Thank you, Council President. I want to take a moment to emphasize the importance of House Bill 1419, known as the "Dignity for Incarcerated Women" Act. This legislation aims to address the poor treatment and inhumane care that pregnant people and women receive in our state STATED MEETING 60 10/6/2022 10/6/22 - STATED - 2ND READING jails and prisons. Presently pregnant people are regularly shackled to their beds when receiving medical care, often for long periods of time. They often endure solitary confinement after they give birth. These new parents have few rights to see their babies and bond with them and have no guarantee of visits afterwards. Additionally, incarcerated individuals have no access to free period products and are forced to use their extremely limited funds for these basic sanitary needs. This lack of care is not only an affront to the basic health and wellness of women and pregnant people in our state but to their babies as well. Shackled women have a higher risk of falling and sustaining injuries to themselves and their babies, and physical restraints can limit the ability for medical experts to provide adequate care, making the labor and delivery STATED MEETING 61 10/6/2022 10/6/22 - STATED - 2ND READING process more difficult for everyone. The overall poor treatment of pregnant people and women in prisons and jails can be damaging physically, psychologically, and emotionally. Their suffering, their experience from shackling, isolation, and lack of time with their babies is unimaginable and is also avoidable. That's why I introduced this resolution urging PA State Senate and Governor Tom Wolf to pass House Bill 1419. The bill would ban shackling and solitary confinement of people and increase documentation of the way they are treated and how they receive care. It would allow a three-day post-delivery bonding time between mother and child and provide free period products for incarcerated individuals who need them. It is critical that other state partners pass this bill so that we can return dignity and safety to this marginalized population. STATED MEETING 62 10/6/2022 10/6/22 - STATED - 2ND READING I want to recognize the prime sponsor, Representative Lori A. Mizgorski, Mike Jones, Morgan Cephas, and Tina Davis, who first introduced this version of the Dignity Incarceration Act in May of 2021 and have been fighting ever since. It is extremely important to recognize Tonie Willis, the founder and Executive Director of Ardella House in Strawberry Mansion, who brought different iterations of this bill to legislators in Harrisburg over the past few years to push this work forward; Reverend Michelle Simmons, founder and CEO of Why Not Prosper, who was monumental in her advocacy of this legislation. And I also want to recognize Medusa Carter, who has organized tirelessly in support of this bill with the Dignity Act Now Coalition. And I also want to thank my Council colleagues, Councilmember Jones, Gym, Gilmore Richardson, Gauthier, Driscoll, Johnson, Oh, Squilla, and STATED MEETING 63 10/6/2022 10/6/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Thomas, for their strong support of this resolution. Thank you, Council President, and thank you to all my Council colleagues, and I move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions? I'm sorry. One more. 220788.
A resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property to execute and deliver to the STATED MEETING 64 10/6/2022 10/6/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority deeds conveying fee simple title to 3001 Martha Street in the First Councilmanic District.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 220789.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to STATED MEETING 65 10/6/2022 10/6/22 - STATED - 2ND READING dispose of 2843 through 2861 Janney Street and 2842 through 2860 Weikel Street located in the 1st Councilmanic District.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Now, Mr. Decker, additional resolutions. STATED MEETING 66 10/6/2022 10/6/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
A resolution recognizing and honoring MISKEEN ORIGINALS and its co-founders for over 20 years of producing wearable works of art during Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week 2022, introduced today by Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is STATED MEETING 67 10/6/2022 10/6/22 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted.
And a resolution honoring the outstanding and historic achievement of the George Washington High School Competitive Spirit Team for becoming the first team in the School District of Philadelphia to earn a spot in the National Cheerleaders Association High School Nationals Competition, introduced today by Councilwoman Gym and Councilman O'Neill.
Thank you very much, Council President. As you heard earlier, we couldn't be prouder to host the GW Spirit Team here in our City Council body. I want us to think just for a second about how much faith it takes to launch a colleague six to eight feet into the air and be sure that they will be caught. I want us to think about how much time and dedication you must have to STATED MEETING 68 10/6/2022 10/6/22 - STATED - 2ND READING one another to be in perfect synchronicity in every single movement. And I want us to think about how much dedication and love you can have as a coach and as a student to put in 10- to 12-hour days during a cheer season. This is the story. This love, this trust, this time and dedication and faith in one another is what built a champion team at GW, but most importantly, it's the spirit that flows through all of our high school kids, no matter where they may be. It means a lot that GW is a neighborhood public school. It's the most inclusive of all of our school models, and to have such excellence and creativity, such talent, resilience, determination, and passion be exhibited by the young people, the coed team of the GW Spirit Team, is a reminder that we need to invest as much in our young people as they believe in themselves. I want to acknowledge by name STATED MEETING 69 10/6/2022 10/6/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Coaches Michele Sorkin-Socki and Veronica Hayes, who spoke so beautifully and is a reminder that that lovely story from Abbott Elementary is not just a fictional retelling that we see week to week. It's actually how teachers live their lives day to day every single day here in the School District of Philadelphia, but we especially thank them for their dedication. And I want to acknowledge all the members of the cheer team, if we can, if I can by name: Co-Captains Irsida Kola and Adamaris Lopez, members Amore Joseph, Aaliyah Armour, Addyson Givens, Nia Rodgers, Nylah Santiago, Kianna Harper, Roland Williams, Jayla Aye, Erica Pierre, Serena Diaz, Josiah Jeudy, Sarai Jeudy, Aniyah Saunders, Syniah Medina, and Simone Felder. You are our champions. You will always be our champions. You are the best of our city at a time when we need it the absolute most. STATED MEETING 70 10/6/2022 10/6/22 - STATED - 2ND READING I want to thank you again for the love that you have for one another, and that you have won over the hearts of everybody in Philadelphia. And with that, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution honoring and congratulating Champion of the Week, Zuhairah McGill, founder of the First World Theatre Ensemble in West Philadelphia, for representing STATED MEETING 71 10/6/2022 10/6/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Philadelphia at the National Black Theatre festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, introduced today by Councilman Thomas.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and STATED MEETING 72 10/6/2022 10/6/22 - STATED - 2ND READING the Homeless to hold public hearings examining MV Realty of Pennsylvania and their Homeowner Benefits Agreement and the impact these agreements may have on Philadelphia homeowners, introduced today by Councilman Jones on behalf of Council President Clarke.
On your behalf, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. STATED MEETING 73 10/6/2022 10/6/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a resolution authorizing the City Council Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development, and the Homeless to hold public hearings examining Brooklyn's Nehemiah Program and its possible implementation in Philadelphia to increase the City's affordable housing availability, introduced today by Councilman Jones.
Thank you again, Mr. President. I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The STATED MEETING 74 10/6/2022 10/6/22 - STATED - 2ND READING ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution recognizing the Drexel University Black Alumni Council for the release of its first book, "A Legacy to Share, Navigating Life's Challenges and Celebrating Our Greatest Achievements," introduced today by Councilwoman Gauthier.
Thank you, Council President. I'd like to make a few remarks before moving the resolution. Good morning, everyone. Today we are voting on a resolution honoring the Drexel University Black Alumni Council for the release of its first book. A Legacy to Share is a collection of more than 50 stories from Black Drexel alums who have excelled across dozens of fields and industries, from NASA to the STATED MEETING 75 10/6/2022 10/6/22 - STATED - 2ND READING NBA, all while facing and conquering the obstacles that systemic racism and classism placed in their paths. Featuring writers from the classes of 1968 through 2020, A Legacy to Share offers a wide array of lived experiences from some of Drexel's notable Black alumni in hopes to inspire current and future Black Drexel students, with proceeds from the book directly funding DUBAC scholarships. I was excited to hear testimony today from some of the DUBAC members featured in A Legacy to Share, and I'd like to acknowledge the hard work of the book's editors, Angela Dowd-Burton, Adrienne Goodrich-Doctor, Jeffrey Howland, and Betty Jean Wolfe. This extraordinary group of people came together in 2020 to produce a collection of stories of Black resilience in the face of the very racism that had spurred the protest and civil unrest that happened that year, hoping that these STATED MEETING 76 10/6/2022 10/6/22 - STATED - 2ND READING stories would act as a beacon to others facing the same struggles. I'd like to thank the authors, editors, and contributors of this book for the work that they have done and continue to do, and I thank this body for considering a resolution to honor them for this work. And with that, Council President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution STATED MEETING 77 10/6/2022 10/6/22 - STATED - 2ND READING designating the week of Sunday, October 9 through Saturday, October 15, 2022 as "Italian American Heritage Week" in the City of Philadelphia and honoring Deana Martin as the Grand Marshall of the 2022 Philadelphia Italian American Parade, introduced today by Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. STATED MEETING 78 10/6/2022 10/6/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Samuel Tin-sing Mok for his exemplary and outstanding service to the United States as a trailblazing military officer, statesman, public servant, and entrepreneur, introduced today by Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is STATED MEETING 79 10/6/2022
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions and our passage and our Calendar for today. Are there any speeches on the part of the minority? (No response.)
Speeches on behalf of the majority? The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I wanted to invite everybody to join me in the Italian American Heritage Parade on Sunday. If you like to walk, the parade will kick off at Broad and Snyder at noon, or you can join at the reviewing stand at Marconi Plaza at Broad STATED MEETING 80 10/6/2022 is an Italian festival there right at Marconi Plaza for great Italian food, drinks, and desserts and also music. So if you want to have a great time, stop down to Marconi Plaza on Sunday from 12:00 to 6:00. Thank you.
Thank you. There being no additional speeches on behalf of the minority or the majority, the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla for a motion to adjourn.
Oh, I'm sorry. This is an old script. Sorry, Madam Deputy Whip. You are now here. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you. Mr. President, I just wanted to really briefly make mention that, as everyone STATED MEETING 81 10/6/2022 now, the extension of the tax assessment appeals. We are extending our tax assessment workshops to December 14th. So we do have additional time for those who received assessments that they feel are incorrect, we want to make sure that we get the appeals in as quickly as possible. Please don't wait until the last minute to do it. You can contact my office, also State Representative Darisha Parker, State Senator Sharif Street, and State Senator Art Haywood. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Sorry. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gym.
Thank you very much, Council President. I just wanted to take a brief moment to thank Councilmember Brooks for her leadership and resolution in urging the Pennsylvania State Senate and STATED MEETING 82 10/6/2022 the Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act. I want to especially thank the testifiers who came here today. I know how difficult it was to tell many of their stories, but it is their pain and honestly their suffering that must move us to action. I especially want to acknowledge Representative Cephas for all of her work on steering the bill to a unanimous passage in the House and to urge our colleagues in the Senate to move swiftly on this. Along with the co-sponsors, Councilmembers Thomas, Brooks, Gauthier, I believe Gilmore Richardson, and others, we've been very clear about the importance of treating people with dignity who are incarcerated. This is especially critical for those who are most vulnerable in our prison system, women, pregnant people, infants, and young people. It's one of the reasons why I STATED MEETING 83 10/6/2022 to increase prison oversight here in our city along with co-sponsors Thomas, Brooks, and Gauthier. The Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act would write into a law essential protections for the health and wellbeing of those in prison and their families. If we are to heal our communities, we must treat women and pregnant people with dignity in our prisons and ensure that those who bring life are supported with the essential bonds between families that is so essential and necessary in those first years after birth. I want to thank all of those who have led the fight for the Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act, Medusa Carter, Tonie Willis, the Dignity Act Now Coalition, Ardella's House, and of course Representative Cephas. And I also want to take this STATED MEETING 84 10/6/2022 everyone, including all of us on our Council body, to waste no time in calling our senators to move as swiftly as we can to make sure that this important bill becomes law. Thank you very much, Council President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. Any additional speeches? (No response.)
There being none, the Chair now recognizes Councilman Squilla for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, October 13th, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, October 13, STATED MEETING 85 10/6/2022 2022, 10:00 a.m. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. Thank you all very much. Please be safe. ) STATED MEETING 86 10/6/2022 CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L.