This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And an ordinance establishing parking regulations, one-way regulations and the designation of a bicycle lane in the vicinity of Maplewood Avenue from Green Street to Wayne Avenue, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. (Applause.)
And a resolution calling upon the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to strengthen enforcement against illegal activity in merchants that impact neighborhoods throughout the city of Philadelphia. A non-privileged resolution.
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council.
And a resolution renaming the Woodview Playground to the "Donna Reed Miller Playground" to honor the life and contributions of former Councilmember Donna Reed Miller. (Applause.)
This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of Council. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Nina Ahmad.
Thank you, Mr. President. Today I have one bill and two privileged resolutions.
Will the Clerk please read the titles of the bill and resolutions.
An ordinance rescinding Bill No. 240500 and amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," by adding a new Chapter creating requirements related to the operation and maintenance of electric vehicle charging stations installed at certain commercial and residential parcels, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.
And a resolution recognizing September as "Childhood Cancer Awareness Month" and promoting the public awareness and research of childhood cancer in the City of Philadelphia. A privileged resolution.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.
A resolution recognizing the prevalence of childhood abuse and the severe impacts it has on children of Philadelphia, and affirming the City of Philadelphia's commitment to examining the effectiveness of City-funded programs that provide services for child welfare and safety. A privileged resolution.
This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. 2ND READING As there being no reports from committees today, the next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. The Chair recognizes Councilmember and Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following bills and resolutions are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 240629, 240368. The following bills and resolutions on the Calendar are being held: 240242, 240427 and 240416-A.
Thank you. Before considering these bills and resolutions, we will consider public comment as follows: Your public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action in today's Council session. All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you have not already signed up for today's session, please do so now by giving your name to Ms. Hassen at the table inside the rails to the left. Once you have signed up, you will be called in the order in which your name appears on the sign-up sheet. Under ideal circumstances, public commenters each will have up to three minutes to speak. However, this time limit may vary from session to session. Today the time limit will be one minute due to the volume of individuals commenting in City Council today on various bills. In order to speak, to be fair to all those wishing to speak I intend to hold faithfully to the one-minute limit. When you begin speaking, you will see a green light on the podium. When there are 30 seconds remaining to your time, the light will turn yellow which is your reminder to conclude your remarks. And I'm going to ask you to be respectful of the person who's going to be speaking after you based upon the significant list of individuals who will be speaking on public comment today. Once one minute has passed, the light will turn red and the Sergeant-at-Arms will disconnect the microphone. Again, please be respectful of the person who will be speaking after you. At that point, please yield the podium to the next speaker if you have not done so already. I also reserve the right pursuant to our rules of Council to limit repetitious comments on the same matter. I will now ask the Chief Clerk to please read the name of our first speaker.
Sir, just please speak your name into the microphone and begin your public comment.
Good morning, Council President Johnson, Councilmembers and colleagues. My name is Ben Wilcox and I'm speaking today on the Streets Safety Hearing resolution introduced by Isaiah Thomas. Many of you in this chamber know me, but today I'm speaking to you from the other side of the rails in a personal capacity on behalf of the families of victims of traffic fatalities who cannot be with us in Council today. We as a Council felt it best to ensure that their testimony be read aloud in their absence. First, I'll read the testimony of Laura Fredricks, the co-founder of Families for Safe Streets Greater Philadelphia and the mother of Emily Fredricks whose life was taken from us on November 28, 2017. These are the words of Laura Fredricks: My daughter Emily Claire Fredricks was 24 years old when she was killed on November 28, 2017 at the corner of Spruce and 11th Street. She was cycling to work as a French pastry chef in Rittenhouse Square and she was killed by the driver of a private sanitation truck who was not held accountable in any way for her death. My husband Rich and I have become advocates for safe streets since Emily was killed in this tragic, traumatic and preventable crash. We are the co-founders of Families for Safe Streets Greater Philadelphia and are involved with many other safe streets organizations such as Keep Kids Alive Drive 25, the Truck Safety Coalition and the Institute for Safer Trucking. I'm writing in support of increasing the funding for Vision Zero to upgrade the current bicycle lane network to include permanent protection using concrete. The summer was filled with tragic and preventable deaths on the streets of Philadelphia and I feel like we have come nowhere since Emily was killed in 2017. I'm calling on City Council to do their part and restore the Vision Zero funding to 2.5 million in Fiscal Year '25 with a plan to increase funding to 3 million in Fiscal Year 2026. Philadelphia is a Vision Zero city and that means prioritizing lives. Philly was once again rated the most walkable city in the country, but Philly has a long way to go to ensure our streets are safe for all vulnerable road-users. So many people have been killed or seriously injured in traffic crashes. Zero is the only acceptable number. Who are you willing to lose? We will miss Emily every second of every day and we will continue to fight for safe streets for all. We know it's too late for Emily. Thank you, Council President and the rest of Council for your time and attention. (Applause.)
Thank you. Will the Clerk please call the next speak -
Next I'll speak on behalf of Dr. Cole Friedes whose wife Barbara was tragically killed on July 17th. Here is his testimony: My name is Dr. Cole Friedes. And on July 17, 2024 my wife Dr. Barbara Friedes was killed by a drunk driver on 18th and Spruce Streets when riding home in the bike lane. She was a figurehead of the Philadelphia community, a Chief resident at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and an aspiring pediatric oncologist. She was a kind, compassionate and loving soul who dedicated her curing childhood -- sorry, dedicated her life to curing childhood cancer and advocating for the most vulnerable in society, and now she's lost. She was only 30 years old. As such, I'm testifying in support of increasing Vision Zero funding to upgrade the current bicycle lane network to include permanent protection using concrete. In the past decade we've witnessed too many lives lost or irrevocably altered by preventable tragedies. It's unacceptable that traffic fatalities in Philadelphia have increased by 58 percent between 2013 and 2022 with pedestrians and cyclists disproportionately affected. These numbers are more than just statistics. They represent lives shattered, families devastated and a city that is failing to keep its residents safe. After another tragic summer of avoidable traffic crashes, I'm calling on City Council to do your part and restore Vision Zero funding to the 2.5 million in FY25 with the plan to increase funding to 3 million in FY26. This is a necessity. The need for protected bike lanes, pedestrian-friendly intersections and aggressive traffic-calming measures is not just apparent, it's urgent. I'm confident that if Vision Zero were to be funded and bicyclists' lives valued, my wife, a pillar of the Philadelphia community, would still be alive today. Thank you, Council President Johnson and the rest of Council, for your time and attention. (Applause.)
Thank you. Will the Clerk please call the next speaker.
Hazami Sayad. Can Isabel Melvin, Kate Perez and John Ivan also make their way to the podium. Hazami Sayad. (Witnesses approached podium.)
(Inaudible). Oh -- should I start again? Oh, sorry. Okay. Good morning, City Council. I'm here as a longtime resident of West Philadelphia, as a parent of two sons who attended Penn Alexander School and as an Arab American who founded and led a local nonprofit for 18 years. I believe in fairly funding our public schools so that all schools are better-resourced. Our students deserve better. They are the future that our city and state must invest in. I would also like to take this opportunity to remind City Council that as the school year begins here, Palestinian children in Gaza have not attended school for an entire academic year. Not only have they been deprived of education by Israel's raining death and destruction for 11 months across Gaza, they have been traumatized and maimed for life with over 14,000 children killed and thousands more unaccounted for under the rubble. Home schools and all civic institutions have been destroyed. Famine and disease are widespread, not due to a natural disaster but intentional ethnic cleansing, a genocide inflicted by Israel on the people of Palestine. The fact that our tax dollars are funding this genocide of Palestinians is unconscionable. As we call on Pennsylvania to fairly fund schools, we must also acknowledge that the State Treasury has $56 million invested in Israeli bonds, funds that could instead be invested locally to improve our schools, parks, transportation and health care. Why is it not a priority to solve the inequities in our state here in our cities? As session resumes, I hope Councilmembers will take up the demands that many of your constituents and organizations here in Philadelphia say, divest from war and invest in our children and future here now. Heed the courageous decision made yesterday by Maine's Portland City Council to divest from companies complicit in Israel's human rights violations. We hopefully can follow suit. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Isabel Melvin, Kate Perez, John Ivan and Chris Gale, make their way to the podium. Isabel Melvin. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Hello. Okay. 240629. This resolution calls on the State Senate to change the public school charter to expand public funds to include cyber charter schools. As we start this school year, let's remember that by November 6th Israeli forces had already killed so many children in that Gaza's Ministry of Education had to cancel their 2024 school year. Symbolic resolutions like this that call for action from our upper government are useful and we must join in State College, Erie City and Lancaster, Pennsylvania to call for a permanent ceasefire in Palestine. The Inquirer reports that the 13 current cyber charter schools receive about $1 billion a year from school districts. By that metric, we could have funded 338 more schools instead of handing Israel $26 billion in military aid. Our country has already sent 50,000 tons of munitions and some of that was built right in our city. Day & Zimmerman is the sole supplier of Israel's three most used munitions, M795, M107 and M830, tank shells and high explosives. Leonardo manufactures naval guns right in O'Neill's District. Citations, hearings, resolutions, press conferences, don't pretend to be powerless as Palestinians are being massacred with our tank shells. Renowned journalist Bisan Owda says, getting used to a genocide is the best way to ensure its completion. Call for a ceasefire. Call for an arms embargo now. (Applause.)
Good morning. I'm Isabel Melvin. I'd like to thank the Councilmembers for all your hard work for the city of Philadelphia and especially thank you, Councilmember Landau and Councilmember Thomas, for together sponsoring a resolution to authorize the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold a hearing examining the progress of Vision Zero's goals and safety of cyclists and pedestrians in the city of Philadelphia. Tickets by Park Authority and police stops are a truly important part of Vision Zero. However, tickets and traffic stops purpose is to change the behavior of drivers tomorrow. Safe infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists can change behavior today. In order to reach zero traffic fatalities, our city needs both enforcement and safe infrastructure. Concrete protective bike lanes today. Thank you. (Applause.)
John Ivan, Chris Gale. And may Suzanne Hagner and Anisa George also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning, Council. My name is Chris Gale. I'm the Executive Director of The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and I live in Francisville. I'm testifying in support of the resolution introduced by Councilmembers Thomas, O'Rourke and Landau calling for a hearing on Vision Zero. I also want to testify in support of the Council President's bill to change parking regulations and bike lanes from no parking to no stopping. The mission of The Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia is to make every bicycle ride safe, to empower youth and adults to ride and to foster a ridership that reflects the diversity of the region. After another tragic summer of avoidable traffic crashes, I'm calling on City Council to do your part and prioritize Vision Zero through funding infrastructure, passing policies focused on the safety of vulnerable road-users and building a connected network of high-quality bike lanes. Since the pandemic, Philadelphia has seen a huge increase in people killed in traffic crashes of which an increasing amount being people walking and biking. Traffic fatalities are preventable, yet almost 130 people were killed on Philadelphia roads last year. These are real people with families and friends who will forever have an empty seat at the table. Thank you, Council President Johnson and the rest of Council, for your time and attention to this important issue. (Applause.)
Thank you. Will the Clerk please call the next person.
Okay. My name is Suzanne Hagner and I live in Wissahickon in the Northwest section of the city. And I'm here today to ask for the Vision Zero bill, the money to be restored. I'm concerned about the Ridge Avenue hill where it really looks like a Third World country corridor. We have had two bicycles hit there. We've had cars hit the concrete wall going down. That's always broken. There's sections of railing patched together. There's orange cones. And in this section, there are four bus stops and two crosswalks so it's many people walking, people bicycling and there's also an entrance to the SEPTA train station. It is in deplorable condition. The sidewalks are broken. The street has holes in it. I met with Streets and OTIS in the middle of August and we talked about this. And they said they did not have the money to make this a safe corridor. It's the gateway to Wissahickon, Roxborough and parts of Manayunk. Thank you. (Applause.)
Anisa George. Can Queen Judith Robinson, Lolitta Raven and Julie White also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning. Thank you. My name is Anisa George. I'd like to speak in support of fully funding our schools. I'd also like us to support our children by calling for a ban on artificial turf which exists and is still being introduced in children's playing spaces across the city, most notably at FDR Park where 16 fields are being introduced. This turf is toxic. It is hot. It causes more injuries. It is more expensive long term and we should ban it as the city of Boston has banned it. Also, if we can ban plastic bags, we can ban giant plastic carpets that give kids cancer and poison our waterways. I think the Fairmount Park Conservancy, which should be called the Fairmount Park Demolition Crew, has pulled the wool over a lot of people's eyes about their renovation and restoration plans for FDR Park, but we see the devastation that is happening day after day and we are not fooled. And we are here to say if you clear-cut our life support systems and replace them with cancer-causing turf, it is not renovation. It is annihilation. It is not restoration. It is obliteration. And we can do better in this city. We have an incredible plan called the Philly Tree Plan, but it's not good enough to write it. We have to do it. And we also have to ban artificial turf which is poisonous for children. Thank you. (Applause.)
Queen Judith Robinson, Lolitta Raven and Julie White. Holly Ian Winter, Kelsey Leon and Brion Shreffler.
Good morning, members of the Council. My name is Noah Raven. I'm 14 years old. And in addition to supporting school funding, I want to support children by opposing the installation of harmful plastic grass in FDR Park. (Applause.)
All artificial turf contains toxic chemicals, including known carcinogens, neurotoxins and respiratory irritants. Artificial turf also contains incredibly harmful substances called PFAS, also known as for forever chemicals which can stay in the environment for thousands of years. Numerous studies have linked these chemicals to birth defects, cancer, reproductive harm and adverse effects on the body's immune system. Research has found toxins in all samples of artificial turf. None are safe. An investigation done by the Philadelphia Inquirer last year found that PFAS may have caused the early deaths of six former Phillies players from a rare form of brain cancer who all played on artificial turf. If this turf is installed, young people like me would be at a direct risk and I urge you to ban it. If the shameful legacy of contaminating our parks' clean, green and toxic-free playing spaces what the City of Philadelphia wants to leave my generation with, if not, then there's no place for artificial turf in FDR Park. Thank you. (Applause.)
Julie White, Holly Ian Winter, Kelsey Leon, Brion Shreffler, Jacob Russell, Dan Chabanov, Nick Di Taranto, Andrew Posmontier. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning, City Councilmembers and President. I am Professor Jacob Russell. And I want to thank you for the several bills introduced today to protect people walking and rolling on our streets. I urge you to pass these items and take further action to physically protect Philadelphians as we move about our city. I live on Spruce Street between 5th and 6th. Every day I grapple with the exact same dangerous conditions that killed Dr. Friedes and Emily Fredricks. I worry each day that I will be the one who doesn't make it to class with my students or home to my family. This is not a unique experience to me on Spruce Street. Every Philadelphian must walk or roll on streets that lack basic protective infrastructure. The deaths on our streets are not accidents. They are not inevitable. They are the direct consequences of your choices as leaders of our city, your choice whether or not to build the infrastructure that will save lives. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Hello. My name is Holly, Holly Ian Winter. I was about a month ago riding my bicycle in the bicycle lane on Chestnut Street when a car parking in the parallel parking area went into the bicycle lane which caused me to have to swerve. As a result, I hit one of the plastic dividers that divide the bicycle lane from the parked cars. I fell on top of the plastic divider, which I don't know if you have seen them, they're really sharp. This plastic divider cut me in the neck. I went to the hospital and they told me that the wound had almost got my carotid artery. And if that had happened, I probably would have bled out on the street. I'm here to testify for the need for safer bicycle infrastructure. As a result, I have nerve damage in my face that may never heal. And this plastic -- the bike lane infrastructure that we have is not enough. The plastic bike dividers are sharp. They're dangerous. What we need is concrete barriers that protect bicyclists, that keep cars from parking in the bike lane, and that's something that if you fall on top of it isn't going to kill you. So that was what I had to say. Thank you for having me. (Applause.)
Hi. I'm Brion Shreffler from South Philadelphia. Like anybody else who bikes daily, commutes to work via bicycle, I risked my life to get here today. It's a bit of an absurdity that has to be true. Too many people continue to die. I'm here to support the resolution examining the progress of Vision Zero, which honestly there's been zero progress. I'm a lifelong resident. I'm not seeing anything. And the safety of cyclists, we need concrete barriers now. They recently -- there's no time for community engagement. There's no time for examination. We saw 10 years of examination and feedback by Philly OTIS engaging with the community, looking at studies around the world for the redevelopment of Washington Avenue which did not happen west of 11th Street, and that is like Mad Max. I saw a family of four biking on there with a small child, five members of a family. And I felt really terrified for them. Design guides behavior, we need to guide behavior today and protect people. By protecting cyclists, we'll also keep cars off the streets which has happened all too often in this city. We need to lead on something. There's too many things where people growl, get upset. Angry uninformed people yell because they don't like change. We know it works around the world for cities that care about every single citizen in those cities. I want to see this City Council show they care about every citizen. Please. (Applause.)
Hello. My name is Dan Chabanov. I live in Manayunk. I'd like to speak in support of continuing the progress of Vision Zero and prioritizing the safety of pedestrians and cyclists in Philadelphia. I also support updating parking regulations and signage citywide from no parking to no stopping and standing in all bike lanes. This matters to me. I take my daughter to daycare by bike every day. She loves it, but I routinely have conversations with other parents in which they tell me something along the lines of, oh, you're so brave, I could never bike in the city. And that breaks my heart because I'm just riding my bike. I don't want to be brave. I want to get to where I'm going safely. Cycling in Philadelphia should not be something that requires bravery. It should just be another way to get around our beautiful city. I'm asking Council to continue making progress on Vision Zero and increase its funding, investing in trafficcalming infrastructure like concrete-protected bike lanes that will save lives and make the streets safer for all road-users including drivers. Thank you. (Applause.) (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning. Good morning, Council. My name is Nick Di Taranto and I live in Old Richmond. I'm here today as one of over 6,000 people that signed a petition asking Council to increase Vision Zero funding, change parking regulations from no parking to no stopping and to install permanent concrete protection on our bike lanes throughout the city. I walk and bike everywhere because I do not have a car. Like many Philadelphians, that's my primary way of getting around. Like all Philadelphians, I deserve safety and I've lost count of the number of times I've almost been hit by a car or harassed by an aggressive driver. I thank Councilmember Thomas and Councilmember Landau for their resolution calling for hearings on Vision Zero funding, and I thank Council President Johnson on his bill regarding parking regulations. I'd like to add that I'd love to see permanent protection on Spruce and Pine, but please do not forget Allegheny. People of color and low-income people are far more likely to be victims of traffic violence and everyone in our city deserves protection. (Applause.)
Can Zac Benjamin, Ted Zellers, Alicia Santiago and Alexandria Murphy also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning, Council President Johnson, City Council. Andrew Posmontier. I'm on Pine Street between 9th and 10th. Every day just sitting at home looking out my window I hear and see near misses in the bike lane with traffic and bicyclists. Every single day I hear tires screech. I hear yelling. I hear honking. I hear near misses, and this is really dangerous behavior. I see people drive into the bike lane, use it as a passing lane. That's the behavior that killed Dr. Barbara Friedes. I'm here to ask for immediate concrete protection for physical barriers for the bike lane. (Applause.)
I know -contrary to popular belief I know the city can act fast when it's necessary for safety. And I'm imploring you to put in physical safe barriers, protect lives and also bring back Vision Zero funding to do this everywhere in the city, not just on Pine Street. Thank you so much. (Applause.)
President Johnson, Councilmembers, thank you for your time. My name is Zac Benjamin. I live in Queen Village. I'd like to recast the humble bicycle, not as an obstacle whose accommodations come at the expense of other street users but rather as an unbeatable opportunity for you to unlock a healthier, happier and richer Philadelphia. (Applause.)
People who travel by bike the data clearly show have lower health care costs and spend more money locally, supporting the businesses they pass every day. So what holds back ridership? I believe there are two main obstacles. First is safety, which you have the power to address and I hope you will. Well-researched measures don't just improve life for people who currently bike. They act as an invitation to would-be riders who, hesitant due to safety concerns, choose to drive instead. Some safety measures like concrete barriers reduce collisions at intersections by nearly 50 percent improving travel times for all street users. I'm encouraged that Mayor Parker is revisiting this issue, but her vision for a cleaner, greener and safer Philadelphia cannot be realized until we recognize people on bikes as the powerhouses of vitality and prosperity that they are. It starts with fully-funded Vision Zero. Thank you. (Applause.)
We have Ted Zellers, Alicia Santiago, Alexandria Murphy and Jonathan Hessney. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning. My name is Alicia Santiago. I live in Lower Moyamensing and I work in the Navy Yard. I'm commenting on the privileged resolution introduced by Thomas calling for hearings on cyclist and pedestrian safety. I stand here today on behalf of my friend Andrea Gonzalez who could not be here because in October of last year Andrea was killed in a car crash when a reckless driver fatally struck her while she was leading a group bike ride. Andrea was in the prime of her life when she became a victim of traffic violence. She was recently recognized in Al D a's 40 under Forty for her work in helping Spanish-speaking business owners in Philadelphia get access to COVID-19 resources and for her volunteer work at The Bicycle Coalition. She was working in affordable housing in Philadelphia and she had just bought a house in the Fairmount neighborhood and she was planning for her wedding, which was supposed to happen earlier this year. Andrea meant a great deal to a lot of people and she should be here. Our streets are dangerous because we designed them and we built them this way, but we have the choice to redesign them and rebuild them. (Applause.)
We have the choice to prevent these preventable deaths and we have the choice to save lives like my friend Andrea's. I'm here to please ask City Council to make the right choice. Support safe streets by increasing Vision Zero funding and upgrading our bicycle infrastructure to include permanent concrete protection now. As my friend Andrea would say, Nos vemos en bici, See you on the bike. Thank you. (Applause.)
Hello. My name is Ted Zellers. I strongly support creating a network of safe, concrete-protected bike lanes and increasing funding for Vision Zero. I live in Kensington and my wife and I are pretty normal. Like a third of Philadelphians, we don't have access to a car. We like to bike for exercise, to save money and to protect the environment, benefits we hope to share with all of our friends and family. But unfortunately, biking in the city is very stressful and unpredictable. Often when I go to work, biking down Spruce Street often feels more like skiing down a giant slalom course where I have to weave back and forth around large parked vehicles. And the lack of protected bike routes makes it hard to convince my wife to bike with me actually, even though she really likes it and would like to do it more. And if I can't even convince my own wife, I have no hope with my friends who regularly tell me they feel intimidated and defeated by the streets around here, even though they would like to bike more. Everyone should have the freedom to bike, whether they're 8 or 80 to enjoy those benefits. So thank you. (Applause.)
We have Alexandria Murphy, Jonathan Hessney. And can Strothers Thompson and Joe Cox also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning, City Council. Welcome back. My name is Kelsey Leon. I'm a clinical researcher in harm reduction specifically studying barriers to treatment in the city. I'm speaking in regards to Councilmember Jones' bill 240242 restricting medical services in his District, but I am going to speak in reference to the bills that Quetcy Lozada, Councilmember Lozada introduced today, because it speaks to the wider treatment landscape. Over the past year I'm a member of the Coalition for Dignity and Treatment which advocates for and educates around treatment barriers and conditions for people who use drugs in our city. Over the past year myself and my colleagues have distributed numerous studies to your staff. We've taken meetings with you. We've provided public comment at City Council sessions and provided evidence that at a macro, micro level that harm reduction saves lives. We've impressed upon you again and again that attacking services for people using drugs does damage to entire communities. If you are going to vote in favor of bills that restrict services for people using drugs, you cannot in good conscience say that you want people who use drugs to recover. You cannot say that you want them to get medical or psychological treatment. You cannot say that you want their suffering to end because you are exacerbating it. The Kensington Special Committee held hearings on barriers to treatment beds in the city this summer. If you vote for these bills, you are the treatment barriers. You are making matters worse. And so, I urge all of you to take actions that you can sleep at night soundly and without blood on your hands. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning. My name is Jonathan Hessney. And I'm here to speak on zoning overlays and related restrictions coming from historic designations. A small group of historic preservationists are trying to mass designate over 1,400 properties in Washington Square West as historic declaring any building built between 1740 and 1985 as historic, which could apply to the entire city. If this happens, any work on the outside of a home will now require a seven-part application to the Commission for approval for any modification, any maintenance at all. This would require photographs, historic documentation, scaled plots or site plans, shop drawings, all to do something as small as replace a window or even just paint your house. These requirements are costly burdens on residents and unnecessary for the majority of the 1400 homes, which are not historic. Residents of Washington Square West are overwhelmingly opposed. This designation will make it more difficult and more expensive to live in Philadelphia. I ask Councilman Squilla as our local representative and Council President Johnson as a member of the Historical Commission to oppose this mass designation and keep Philadelphia a vibrant and livable city for all. Thank you. (Applause.)
Hello. My name is Joe Cox. First, I want to thank Council President for legislation calling for no stopping in the bike lanes. (Applause.)
I am here in honor of Dr. Barbara and every other victim of lack of action toward Vision Zero. We need Vision Zero. Every day the city tries to kill you. If you don't own a car in the city, you are treated as a second-class citizen. Your life is less valuable. Biking is seen as something leisure. That is a problem. It makes zero sense. In the poorest big city we have the most cyclist commuters. The majority of delivery cyclists are people of color. We have the most disabled citizens. Yet our Mayor defunded Vision Zero, which is already a joke. Someone biking to work is faced with a bike lane becoming a sidewalk. Pedestrians are put into traffic with no warning. Drivers don't know basic laws. They don't care and they aren't enforced. I can't tell you how many times someone tries to kill me, most days with their car. I don't want to be a ghost bike. We need Vision Zero. Also, no arena near Chinatown. Thank you. (Applause.)
Can Peter Clark, Melanie Hawkins, Judeah and Cheryl Fote also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Greetings. My name is Shani Strothers Thompson. I'm here on behalf of my 94 year-old widowed public school teacher, retired public school teacher mother. You may have seen us in the paper on Battle for 45th Street last September almost a year ago. And I'm here. I have a lot to talk about, but I'm going to talk about rats. I'm here to talk about rats.
You're talking about non-conforming properties, right?
Okay. I want to talk to you about some properties that are non-conforming and that's why we have rats. The Department of Health, the Vector Control Unit has told us that they cannot remediate our rat situation, although they have baited several times, killed the squirrels, killed everything moving, but the rats are still there because we have open trash next door. It's supposed to be a two-unit building, duplexes. He has it as Apartment 1, 2 and B with 10 rooms, 10 bathrooms and all that trash comes out every day and sits in front of the house and it is impossible to close. He had owned 13 properties on our block. It's impossible to close the trash cans. It's a 24/7 rat buffet. In addition to that, he has rat harborage. We got a violation for rat harborage at our house. And I got the Survey Unit from the Streets Department to come out and they determined that the voids, the 7 inch wide, 25 feet high -- 90 and 25 feet long voids that are newly constructed next to our former rowhouses are harboring the rats. They're on his premises, not on ours, although they can be accessed from our house. If you stand on our porch, you can lean over and look down into his voids where the rats, raccoons, squirrels, bees -- I can't even tell you what I've seen going in and out of there. And it's impossible to clean it. These are non-conforming -- these are non-conforming conditions that have rats on us, which is unsanitary. And as a world-class city, a city that wants to consider itself green, this, that and the other, to allow rats to -- Licenses and Inspections to recently tell us that they did not see any conditions that were in violation needs to be handled. We have an L&I standing Committee here. My Councilwoman is on it. You all know who you are on it. Half the Council's on the Committee. Something needs to be done so that we don't have rats. And we have the laws to do it. They just need to be enforced. The city needs to have the kahunas to do it. Thank you. (Applause.)
Peter Clark, Melanie Hawkins, Judeah and Cheryl Fote, Dr. Brown, Ogbonna Hagins and Lynn Landes. Please make your way to the podium. Peter Clark, Melanie Hawkins, Judeah and Cheryl Fote, Dr. Brown, Ogbonna Hagins. (Witnesses approached podium.)
I'm going to make a request. It's kind of difficult for me to say what I have to say in one minute. So since some of the people are not coming, I just would request to have one min -- two minutes. You're saying no?
One minute, sir, per person speaking on public comment. Please begin.
Well, what includes the one minute, like when I introduce myself? I spend time writing what I --
Your minute is running now, so please state your public comment, sir.
I have a bill here for you guys. We have badges of slavery, vestiges of slavery happening in Philadelphia. And you have the ability to eradicate those badges of slavery based on the United States Constitution. I have a bill here called the Philly 13th Amendment bill. The Supreme Court said that Congress has the ability and has to define what the badges, vestiges and incidents of slavery are. You are a legislative body and you are obligated to define those things that harm the descendants of slavery, the Freedmen. How do you know that these things are happening and you don't create a law to stop it? I have the bill here, since my time is limited, and I also have the speech here that I have prepared. So I would ask that the Sergeant-at-Arms give this to all the Councilmembers, including Council President. And I expect and demand a response. Don't ignore me like you ignore your emails and you ignore your phone calls. We've had people who have been calling your office, sir, and you haven't been responding. You're in breach of duty. You have the obligation to respond to your constituents and you're not doing it. This whole body is in violation of the 13th Amendment, but you guys don't know the 13th Amendment, but you're going to know about it.
Lynn Landes. Can Albert Meister, Jasmine Hoffman and Kimberly Model, please also make their way to the podium.
Good morning. I'm Lynne Landes of Smallstreetsphilly.org. I'm speaking in opposition of the ordinance continuing a Neighborhood Improvement District in East Passyunk. Neighborhood Improvement Districts and Business Improvement Districts, otherwise known as NIDS and BIDS, are privatization of government functions. These private entities are imposed on businesses and neighborhoods without the informed consent of property owners. These entities are allowed to tax citizens without due process. They select their own boards that have the power to levy taxes, take out loans and condemn properties, among other things. One day we may all wake up and find out that we've encouraged huge debts because these entities are basically operating behind closed doors and unaccountable to the public. In a similar fashion, large swaths of Philadelphia private property have been put under the authority of the City's Historical Commission through their historic designation process. Once again decisions are being made by a handful of people without the informed consent of the property owners. On September 13th, the Historical Commission could vote to designate most of Washington Square West a historic designation area. We are asking the Mayor and City Council to urge the Commission to restrict its historic designations to truly historic buildings with the fullyinformed consent of property owners. Thank you.
Albert Meister, Jasmine Hoffman, Kimberly Model and Emilio Flores, please make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Hello. My name is Kimberly Model. I'm here speaking in support of the resolutions calling for bike safety and for no stopping in the bike lane for Vision Zero. I brought a number of props. But for time I'm going to forego most of them. I'd like to show you. I've got this helmet. It's broken because there's a crack here. Helmets are one-time use and whenever you crash on them, they crack, deform and you can't use them anymore. I've got another one here. I've got another one here, completely destroyed. You can see there's cracks here and there. And the last prop I'd like to show you is one of my bike lights, but I'll forego that for time reasons. I'm here asking for Vision Zero funding because I need more than speed cushions and flexi-posts to protect me. I'm asking for no stopping on all bike lanes because I don't want to be squished between a parked car and a speeding driver. And I'm asking for concrete now because I don't want to be the next person run over by a drunk driver. Thank you. (Applause.)
Hi. My name is Jasmine Hoffman. I'm an advocate for Jay-Alert Bill SB730 and I'm here representing my sister Ayesha Poole, whose daughter and my niece, Jayanna Powell who was 8 years old walking home from Cassidy Elementary School, in 2018 she was hit by a vehicle crossing the street walking home with her siblings. I am testifying in support of a resolution introduced by Councilmembers Thomas, O'Rourke and O'Lay(sic) calling for a hearing on Zero Vision -- on Vision Zero. I also want to testify in support of the Council President's bill to change parking resolutions and bike lanes from no parking to no stopping. Jay Alert SB730 is a tool that will help pedestrians and bicyclists in lowering the fatalities of hit-and-runs in Philadelphia by awareness. Jay Alert is a tool that will back up the news and the police station and send out alerts to our cell phones and also registered auto shops. We hope that the Councilmen will also help with moving SB730 off the Committee floor. We also hope of hearing on Vision Zero talks about the lack of enforcement of hit-and-run crashes and get funding for concrete barriers. Thank you to the Council President and the rest of this Council. Thank you. (Applause.)
Albert Meister, Emilio Flores. Can Wanda Walker, William Hendricks, Christopher Dasher and David Simms also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Hi. My name is Emilio Flores. I'm a harm reductionist, a substance use researcher at Penn Med and a person who uses drugs. I'm part of a collective of community members, some of whom are licensed medical professionals and social workers who hit the streets of Kensington every single weekend, rain or shine, and have done so throughout the pandemic at our own personal risk. We're not a nonprofit and none of us are paid for this work. We do it because we care and because we understand that when the state leaves people behind, it's up to us to take care of one another. I'm presenting today in opposition to Councilmember Lozada's proposed amendment to Title 10 of The Philadelphia Code, which would effectively ban mobile outreach in the 7th District, including distribution of life-saving harm reduction supplies. The introduction of this amendment would be cruel under any circumstances but introducing it now amid an increasingly toxic and deadly drug supply is indefensible. With the local drug supply being overtaken by xylazine, the devastating impact on our community is impossible to ignore. Xylazine in combination with fentanyl and other adulterants has led to severe infections, amputations and an alarming rise in infections. While this is all occurring, our Mayoral administration has set its sights on defunding vital public health services, like the Syringe Exchange Program at Prevention Point. A 2019 study out of GWU found that PPP services prevented 10,000 people from contracting HIV over a 10-year period. By defunding these services and banning smaller grassroots outreach efforts, the Administration is sending a clear message that it does not care about the proliferation of HIV and other bloodborne illnesses. If that's not enough to convince you of these services of necessity, consider that the same study estimated $1.8 billion in total lifetime taxpayer savings. Opposition to harm reduction services isn't just morally repugnant, it's fiscally irresponsible. At a time when we should be responding to the crisis with compassion and practices based on evidence, members of Council are responding with punitive measures that fly in the face of decades of public health research. Since the beginning of Mayor Parker's tenure, I and other harm reductionists have been harassed by police while distributing electrolyte packets and water during a heat wave and while administering wound care to an individual who didn't feel comfortable accessing services at a nearby hospital for fear of being stigmatized. (Applause.)
My name is Wanda Walker. Good morning, beautiful people. We only have one minute. 240416-A is what I'm going to speak about to be respectful. Of course I want to speak about generational wealth and what's going on with small businesses and landlords, but we'll stick to this one. I'm not okay with this because it says non-electoral. Who are these people? You're talking about selling bonds to create money. There are other ways to get revenue in the city of Philadelphia. Are you all aware that 23,000 buildings in Philadelphia are nonexempt, which equals $30 billion in property value that does not get taxed a property tax like the rest of us. And if you look at places like U of P that own like one-third of Philadelphia and their endowment and they're not paying taxes, this would be a great way to get revenue. So if we started even doing a flat tax on churches, universities, hospitals and nonprofits, we would find the money that we need. I'm definitely going to say no to the stadium. We already have four of them. So anything a new one can do the four that we have can do the same. We are the number one poorest big city for this reason right here. We are not doing the things that are necessary and needed for this city to be better. We keep doing other things. Thank you. I'll see you next week. (Applause.)
We have William Hendricks, Christopher Dasher, David Simms. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning, Council. My name is Christopher Dasher. I live and work in South Philadelphia where I'm also raising two children, ages 3 and 9 -- my name is Christopher Dasher -- good morning. My name is Christopher Dasher. I live and work in South Philadelphia where I'm raising two children, ages 3 and 9. I believe all traffic deaths are preventable. I wish to express my support for the measures introduced today regarding pedestrian and bicycle safety and thank Council for doing so. I believe it is a fundamental right of every Philadelphia resident to get around safely without the use of a car in every neighborhood. Cities in the U.S. and around the world have learned that when you build a city for cars, get cars. When you build a city for people, you get people. And it's the people of Philadelphia that make me love this city so much. (Applause.)
I was born here. I'm raising my kids here. Thank you for making it safer to do so. The community has spoken. Paint is not protection. We need concrete now. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning. My name is David Simms. I am the artist and proprietor of Eatible Delights Catering. And I'd like to start off by saying in the words of our Vice-President Kamala Harris, I am a joyful business owner. I come to you today to say thank you to Anthony Phillips for recognizing Eatible Delights as being a longstanding business. I've been here in business in Philadelphia for over 25 years. I'm originally from New York, but I'm a Philadelphian. I wouldn't go back to New York. So my message more is for the business owner --
My message is for the small business owner or for the business owner. It's not easy but it's worth it. And I want to say thank you to all the people in Philadelphia that has supported Eatible Delights for over 25 years. I'm very happy to say that I've served five Mayoral administrations and most of the people here in City Council. So thank you for your time and everyone have a good day. (Applause.)
Council President, there are no other names for public comment.
That concludes today's public comment period. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Brooks, then Councilmember Young.
Thank you so much, Council President. I would like to be excused 9/5/24 - STATED - 2ND READING for --
Member Brooks, one second. Can we keep it down as Members make their remarks. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Brooks.
Thank you, Council President. I would like to be excused for official Council business, and I vote aye on all bills and resolutions.
Leave is excused. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240629.
A resolution calling on the Pennsylvania State Senate to enact House Bill 2370 to fairly fund schools in Philadelphia 9/5/24 - STATED - 2ND READING and across the Commonwealth to ensure fair allocation of resources for all students. Introduced by Councilmember Thomas for Council President Johnson.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240629.
Thank you, Council President. On your behalf, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
For the record, the Chair recognizes Councilmember Thomas for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240629.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of 9/5/24 - STATED - 2ND READING the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240629 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240368.
An ordinance continuing a Neighborhood Improvement District known as East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District in an area that generally includes both sides 9/5/24 - STATED - 2ND READING of East Passyunk Avenue from the south side of Federal Street to the east side of South Broad Street, certain blocks of streets that intersect that portion of East Passyunk Avenue, both sides of Broad Street from the north side of McKean Street to the north side of Snyder Avenue and the west side of South Broad Street from the south side of Mifflin Street to the north side of McKean street, designating the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District, which has organized itself as a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation, as the Neighborhood Improvement District Management Association for the District; approving a plan for the District, including a list of proposed improvements and their estimated cost, and providing for assessment fees to be levied on property owners within the 9/5/24 - STATED - 2ND READING District; authorizing the Director of Commerce, on behalf of the City, to execute an agreement with the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District, relating to the District; and authorizing the East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District to assess property owners within the District the special property assessment fee to be used in accordance with the approved plan; all in accordance with the provisions of the Community Economic Improvement Act, and under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Will the Chief Clerk please call the roll.
And, Council 9/5/24 - STATED - 2ND READING President Johnson.
Aye. The ayes are 17. The nays are zero. Majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. The Clerk will please read any additional resolutions on today's Calendar.
A resolution honoring and recognizing The Honorable Stephen Kinsey for his exceptional service and leadership as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 2013 to 2024. Elected to represent the 201st Legislative District, Stephen Kinsey proudly served for six terms, demonstrating unwavering dedication to his constituents and community. Introduced by Councilmember Phillips.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember 9/5/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Phillips for a motion on the resolution. Very well done resolution.
Thank you, Council President. On behalf of myself and the 8th District Councilwoman Cindy Bass, I move for the adoption of the resolution for a great man. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk -- 9/5/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
And a resolution recognizing September 2024 as "Prostate Cancer Awareness Month" to raise awareness about the importance of screening for and treatment of prostate cancer, to encourage prostate cancer research and to encourage Philadelphians to take an active role in the fight to end prostate cancer. Introduced by Councilmember Phillips.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Phillips for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
9/5/24 - STATED - 2ND READING It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.
And a resolution honoring and recognizing the Philadelphia Youth Network as it celebrates its 25th anniversary. Introduced by Councilmember Phillips.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Phillips for a motion on the resolution.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
9/5/24 - STATED - 2ND READING It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.
Honoring and recognizing Youth Action for over two decades of inspiring leadership and community service in Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Phillips.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Phillips for a motion on the resolution.
I enthusiastically move for the 9/5/24 - STATED - 2ND READING adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.
Honoring and recognizing Brown's Linen, Inc. for its historic contributions to the community and its commitment to excellence across four generations. Introduced by Councilmember Phillips.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember 9/5/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Phillips for a motion on the resolution.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.
And a resolution honoring and recognizing Buccann for its significant contributions to the local culinary landscape and its commitment to 9/5/24 - STATED - 2ND READING excellence, community engagement and authenticity in modern Dominican cuisine. Introduced by Councilmember Phillips.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Phillips for a motion on the resolution.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution 9/5/24 - STATED - 2ND READING is adopted.
Resolution honoring and recognizing Bally's Pizzeria for its significant contribution to the culinary landscape and its unwavering dedication to quality, community and authenticity. Introduced by Councilmember Phillips.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Phillips for a motion on the resolution.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.) 9/5/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.
And a resolution honoring and recognizing Bruce R. Hawkins Funeral Home for its remarkable contributions to the community and its commitment to excellence over the past 40 years. Introduced by Councilmember Phillips.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Phillips for a motion on the resolution.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly 9/5/24 - STATED - 2ND READING seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted.
Honoring and recognizing Cathryn's Cake Salon for its dedication to exceptional service, community engagement and its contribution to the local economy. Introduced by Councilmember Phillips.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Phillips for a motion on the resolution.
I move for the adoption of the 9/5/24 - STATED - 2ND READING resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)