Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless reports out one bill with a favorable recommendation.
Thank you. Will the Chief Clerk please read the report.
The Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless to which was referred Bill No. 240018, entitled Amending Title 9 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions," by providing for the licensing of persons responsible for performing tenant evictions at residential properties, under certain terms and conditions, respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier for a motion.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit first reading this day of the bill just read into the record by the Chief Clerk. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council to permit the consideration of the bills just read by the Chief Clerk at today's session of Council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries. And Bill No. 240018 will be placed on the First Reading Calendar for today. The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Bass for a motion regarding special business.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the rules of Council be suspended to permit consideration of special business at this time. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the consideration of special business at this time. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries. The Chair again recognizes Councilmember Bass for a motion regarding a resolution introduced today to re-call Bill No. 240336. Will the Clerk please read the title of the resolution.
A resolution requesting the Mayor to return to 240336, entitled An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning and Planning," by adding definitions and creating a new Chestnut Hill Lower East/NCO in the area generally bounded by the SEPTA Chestnut Hill East Line, Cresheim Valley Drive, Germantown Avenue, Winston Road, Moreland Avenue, Devon Street, Ardleigh Street and Springfield Avenue, under certain terms and conditions, for the purpose of reconsideration by the Council of the vote by which said bill passed Council.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move to suspend the rules of Council to allow consideration of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the consideration of the resolution at this time. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries. The Chair again recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass.
Mr. President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, the motion carries and the resolution is adopted.
Will the Chief Clerk please read a letter from the Mayor.
To the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am returning herewith as requested by your resolution adopted today Bill No. 240336, entitled An ordinance amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Zoning Planning," by adding definitions and creating a New Chestnut Hill Lower East/NCO in the area generally bounded by the SEPTA Chestnut Hill East Line, Cresheim Valley Drive, Germantown Avenue, Winston Road, Moreland Avenue, Devon Street, Ardleigh Street and Springfield Avenue, under certain terms and conditions for the purpose of reconsideration by Council of the vote by which said bill passed Council.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Bass for a motion that Council reconsider the vote by which Bill No. 240336 was passed.
All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. 2ND READING (Aye.)
The ayes have it. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the motion carries and the vote by which Bill No. 240336 was passed has been reconsidered and the bill will be placed on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for our next session of Council. The next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. I note that the bills just reported from the Committees with the suspension of rules have been deemed to have had a first reading. These bills will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for the next session of Council. 2ND READING As there are no additional bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes 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. 240468, 240534, 240545, 240546, 240547, 240549, 240550, 240551, 240059, 240061, 240370, 240428, 240280, 240330, 240472 and 240060. The following bills and resolutions on the Calendar are being held: 240534, 240536, 240537, 240538, 240539, 240540, 240541 and 240376.
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 at today's Council session. All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you have not already sign up for today's session, please do so now by giving your name to Ms. Hassen at the table outside the rails to my 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 three minutes to speak. However, this time limit may vary from session-to-session. Due to our volume today, the time limit will be two minutes. In order to be fair to all those wishing to speak, I intend to hold faithfully to the two-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. Once two minutes have passed, the light will turn red and the Sergeant-at-Arms will disconnect the microphone. At that point, please yield 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 comments on the same matter -- I want to ask as we move forward during the public comment session and the rest of the time of today's Council session, if you have comments rather you're in the chambers or in the balcony, please take your conversations outside the chambers. Thank you very much. I will now ask the Chief Clerk to please read the name of our first speaker.
Hello. Thank you so much. I wanted to thank everyone for letting me speak today, this public comment. I also wanted to express my appreciation for the Council's efforts to strengthen and protect against housing for discrimination. I also want to say how warm I felt when reading over the bill how it talked about disability right alongside every other discrimination. That really means a lot. But -- oh, I'm sorry. I just want to mention I have a document for anyone in Council to follow along with because I know I'm hard to understand sometimes. So, yes, I wanted to comment on the challenge of inaccessibility is discrimination. I know it's not usually thought about that way but -- hello, hello? Is it cutting out? Am I good -okay. Inaccessibility is discrimination even though we don't always think about it that way. We often think what sort of expense or financial deficit will it be caused to accommodate and make sure this discrimination is not upheld. And I feel like with every other lifting indiscrimination, that would not be a consideration we would ever make. I understand there's challenges, but I want you to take away from this public comment the idea that inaccessibility is discrimination. I want to highlight -- is it good? Hello. Okay. Sorry, it keeps cutting out, I think. I wanted to highlight the unique challenges that people face who are individuals with severe physical disabilities like myself in finding suitable housing. People with disabilities are often stuck in poverty due to financial limits set up by the government to maintain government benefits. These limits are quite stringent, very limiting, even down to saying that you cannot earn a certain amount or save over $2,000, and it's really not a sustainable way of living. I want to talk about wheelchair accessibility and what that means. It means first floor access or reliable elevators, open floor plan, doorway design, specific location for toilets next to the shower to make sure a shower chair can slide over. There's use considerations and even more, proximity to public transportation for medical appointments and other essential services, safety of area and parking for nurses to continue receiving services. And if they're not safe, you don't have nurses. If you don't have nurses, there's no way to live in my situation. You need additional rooms because of medical storage equipment and also the potential of a living aide. You're not able to have a roommate, which is a standard solution for most people who are low-income where you just get a roommate and then split the cost. However, trying to find someone in a situation where they have a three- or four-bedroom apartment that they want to take only one bedroom but then pay the difference that I cannot afford, it just is not an available option. And even if it was, I wouldn't be allowed to do that because it would be counted as a gift. You know, all these considerations put housing cost somewhere between $2,000 to $4,000 a month for suitable housing, and that would be around $90,000 a year that you need to earn to be able to afford housing if it was not based on income-based housing programs. Below you'll see a couple sections, Section 9108-M, which (inaudible) of refusing or restraining housing -- sorry, refusing or restricting housing accommodations based on tenant source of income.
And I think this could expand to include eligibility discrimination based on disability- related accommodations and extending circumstances, things like additional rooms for medical storage, living aides, service animals, emotional support animals, installation of necessary accessibility features. Not allowing tenants to go to college while they're living in low-income housing, yes, that is a thing. Imposing additional fees or deposits on tenants because of their disabilities and the additional accommodations that they need to live there. And you can see in the next page that I gave a possible way of working in inclusion. Please look at that over your leisure. Next is Section 91108-I, which prohibits false or misleading information about the properties availability or eligibility based on a tenant's source of income. I think that could also be expanded to include elements of disability, talking about their false advertisement of accessibility, advertisement on accessibility sites even though you investigate and they say it's accessible if you can go up two flights of stairs to get into the place. I've actually been told that before, or people saying that they do not use low-income housing tax credit programs or other flexible low-income programs even though their advertisers are doing so and they're on the list for such. And people ask why is this not just an ADA regulation, why is this something that we should talk about in these bills. Well, first -- kind of funny. I was told I had to relate it directly to the bills that we're talking about and the amendments, so there we go. However, there's a concept of redundancy equals validity and irrefutability. The concept that when people are looking for laws and things that have to be upheld, they look for repeated working -for repeated concepts. And if it's only in one location, it can often be overlooked or completely disregarded. I think it's an important topic that we should discuss nor is there really a better place to bring it up. Perhaps this discussion could lead to more act reform somewhere in a specific place, specifically talking about disability and the way we can include it into all legislation. I wanted to just really quickly go into my personal story and ask for any help or any understanding that could be presented. I'm living in a low-income housing tax credit property. I've been there for 10 years. I moved in because I was dating someone who worked at Liberty Resources and they were able to get me in as it was being built. I'm not sure if that's allowed to happen technically, but it did and thank goodness because I would have nowhere else to live otherwise. Now, it was really great for a little bit under a year until it started flooding with raw sewage, every four months for several years. It was horrible. I had to keep going into hotels spending upwards of two years in hotels over the past 10 years as I was working on trying to fix the issue, trying to involve Congress people, trying to involve Licenses and Inspections, Water Department, PHFA. And over this time with these constant floodings, I suspected that mold was growing and I was denied that information by the apartment complex because there's nothing that legally says they have to tell you. So this information was withheld or just not revealed to me and they didn't have the information supposedly. However, this presence of mold started causing a lot of problems, increases in anxiety and stress having to move back and forth and dealing with landlords that wanted to push down your opinions, push down your emotions.
They wanted to make it so their legal department would make you stop talking to different people being open about the challenges they're experiencing, asking for help on different social media sites. And on top of all that, on top of that abusive practice which I would call it abusive practice, they did not understand that I was getting worse and worse symptoms every day that I live at this apartment, that I'm still at, mind you. Symptoms as severe as severe migraines, gastrointestinal issues, weight loss, worsening respiratory conditions which is very bad for someone who's already very susceptible and compromised respiratorily. Diabetes-like symptoms appearing, which was stopping me from getting my nutritional supplement causing weight loss. Mind fog, greater weakness on top of my already progressive disability but at a much more increased rate, chronic fatigue, brain aneurysm developing, chronic fatigue, taking 17-plus hours a day sleeping to function. It just was not okay, and I tried for seven years to find somewhere else to live. I found nothing but long waiting lists, things that they claim only are 3 to 15 years, but more accurately cost a lifetime because people did not want to move out. There's a couple more things that I'd like to mention. However, I'm just going to say please if anyone on Council would like to hear more information as they read more details, please reach out to me. My phone contact, my email is there. Come talk to me afterwards. I appreciate any help and I appreciate any more thoughts regarding the situation on accessibility. Thank you.
Tonya McClary. May Kate Perez, Jordan Yarborough and Glenn Bryan also make their way to the podium. Tanya McClary, Kate Perez. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Hello. Okay. My name's Kate Perez. The ceasefire petition I emailed all of you is now at 346 signatures that all agree that Philadelphia is complicit in genocide. I have 34 handwritten letters gathered at a vigil where we mourn the loss of more than 45,000 human beings, more than 80,000 maimed and more than 25,000 children orphaned. Actual death tolls are unknown as Israel has systematically wiped out journalists, cut off an entire country's Wi-Fi and decimated 80 percent of civilian infrastructure. On 240280, I don't have faith in our Philadelphia Police Department to appropriately handle hate crimes. It's a conflict of interest as our own officers are cross-trained by the welldocumented racist apartheid state of Israel that's already been taken to International Court on charges of ethnic cleansing, collective punishment, forced starvation and more. During the bill's public meeting, the PPD representative couldn't even produce Philadelphia's hate crime statistics when asked. As a citizen, it feels like it's either a lack of competence or they're hiding the numbers. By Israel indiscriminately killing Palestinians and then increasing our state war bonds, we are the ones who are encouraging hate crimes. By staying silent, you are telling the zionists back home that it's okay to stab a 6-year-old to death if they're Palestinian. By saying nothing, you are empowering Zionists to show up in the middle of the night at the Swarthmore encampment and shoot fireworks into the tents. Councilmembers say a ceasefire resolution would be performative but pass resolutions every week begging Biden to fund our social services and honor a middle school class. By doing this, we're ignoring the fact that Israel has killed so many children that Gaza had to cancel the 2024 school year and then they used all of our Social Security money to buy the bombs to drop on the schools. Just yesterday they murdered over 100 people sheltering in a school in a refugee camp. More than 15,000 children have already been murdered and all of them were ours. You can't condemn Hamas for killing 1200 people and then vote on street names while trading cops and selling weapons to the occupation that's burning Palestinians alive right now. A ceasefire is the bare minimum. We're supposed to cut all ties with Israel. Stop selling them weapons. Stop funding war crimes and free Palenstine. (Applause.)
Okay. Will Jordan Yarborough, Glenn Bryan, Elise Betz and then Stephanie Renee also make their way to the podium. REVEREND McCLARY: Good morning, members of Council.
Good morning. REVEREND McCLARY: My name is Reverend Tanya McClary and I am the Executive Director of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission. Many people know us as the CPOC as well as the newlyappointed Pastor of Calvary Church right here in the City of Philadelphia. I am here today to enthusiastically support the proposed amendment to CPOC's ordinance. We are grateful to Councilmember Jones for all his support to our agency and for his leadership in this process. Like any fledgling agency, the necessity of process changes becomes apparent as experience is gained. And while this is the first adjustment to our founding legislation, it probably won't be the last. This amendment modifies the removal mechanism for CPOC's Board of Commissioners, allowing the Commission to address serious misconduct issues that should they arise. Secondly, the amendment provides important clarification of the terms and the ordinance. These changes will help our young agency to continue to grow and fulfill the important duties that we are tasked with. The ordinance's existing removal mechanism applies only to situations where a member of the Commission is being removed for cause. This means misconduct, inability or failure to perform required duties or ethical violations. The ordinance also required that any person being removed have due process protections, including notice and the opportunity to be heard at a hearing. All of these important provisions remain the same. And under the existing process, only City Council can remove a member of the Commission employing a process that can be time-consuming and difficult to navigate given the magnitude and the scope and the volume of City Council's responsibilities. This amendment creates an interim step that allows the Board of Commissioners to address serious misconduct by voting to remove a member where necessary with the same due process protections. Furthermore, the removal will not be finalized until you all, City Council, has had the opportunity to vote to supersede the removal. The suspension mechanism simply allows time to complete this thorough investigation into the alleged misconduct or allow time for City Council to review board removal. Suspension allows the Commission to protect confidential information during that process. In addition, the amendment clarifies the definitions which include the Board of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission and the department, meaning the Philadelphia Police Department. Thank you for your time and attention and I would be happy to answer any questions. (Applause.)
All right. Give me a second. It's in my phone. All right. I came to -- my fault. I came here to talk about five different bills and resolutions because I thought that -- I came here to talk about five different bills and resolutions because I thought that we was going to have two minutes a piece to talk about every jawn. I thought you get up, sit back down, get up, sit back down. I never did one of these before. But -- ya'll can hear me? (Yes.)
I came here to talk about five different bills and resolutions but when I realize that you get two minutes to go through everything that you have, I don't think I'm going to be able to talk about all five different bills and resolutions when it comes to two minutes a piece. So, yeah, I'm Jordan Yarborough. I'm trying to be a young politician. I'm at CCP for liberal studies. If anybody -- I made contact with a bunch of you before we came here today. I would love a minute of your time to talk about bills and resolutions after we get out of here. Thank you.
Glenn Bryan, then Elise Betz, Stephanie Renee and Mark Macyk. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Hi. Good morning. My name is Glenn Bryan and I'm the Assistant VicePresident of University of Pennsylvania's Office of Government and Community Affairs. I'd first like to thank Council Councilmember Gauthier and the members of city Council for bringing forth a resolution to recognize and celebrate the remarkable achievements of Dr. Gloria Twine Chisum. Dr. Chisum's academic pursuits led her to the University of Pennsylvania where she earned her Ph.D. in 1960. This marked the beginning of a historic career characterized by pioneering research and an enduring commitment to public Service. Dr. Chisum's work in psychology and aerospace technology earned her numerous awards, including the George Washington Carver Scientific Achievement Award, the Alumni Award of Merit from the University of Pennsylvania. It was her love for Penn where Dr. Chisum became the first, the first, African American woman to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees that I'm especially proud to speak about today. Her leadership roles within the University included chairing the Boards of Advisors for the School of Social Policy and Practice in the Graduate School of Education. Her and her late husband, who I knew very well, gave generous support, spanned multiple schools and initiatives at Penn helping to shape Penn into the institution that it is today. Dr. Chisum's dedication extended beyond Penn and into the Heart of Philadelphia through her leadership and involvement with the Free Library, William Penn Foundation, Pew Charitable Trust, the American Psychological Association and many, many more. In celebrating Dr. Gloria Twine Chisum, we honor not only her professional achievements but also her profound impact on our community and city. May her legacy of service and dedication inspire us all. Thank you for the opportunity. (Applause.)
Good morning. I am Elise Betz. I'm the Senior Executive Director of Alumni Relations at Penn. I'd like to thank Councilmember Gauthier and the members of City Council for your service to our community and for today recognizing the extraordinary accomplishments of Dr. Gloria Twine Chisum. I have had the honor of knowing and working with Dr. Chisum for 24 years and her beloved Jack until he passed away. The Drs. Chisum were everywhere at Penn. Paging through Penn photo albums, I found dozens of pictures of the Chisums at events, at board meetings, literally everywhere. In Dr. Chisum's 50 years of service as a trustee at Penn, she has done more in support of students, alumni faculty and staff of color than any of our 300,000 living alumni. In 1993, Dr. Chisum founded what was then called the Committee on Minority Permanence at Penn and is now the James Brister Society. These alumni leaders by power of their example support and promote Penn's efforts to attract, encourage and maintain a culturally diverse community of faculty, students, administrators, staff and volunteers, enriching the University as a whole. Penn now has Black and Brown leaders on every single one of our boards where decisions are made. Penn students see themselves in our leaders. Daina Richie Troy, who's sitting right over there, who is a Penn alum, JBS member and staff member said, Having someone so accomplished extend themselves to you when you don't yet know your potential was truly impactful. She invited us to think bigger, reach farther and be confident in ourselves and our right to share our talents. Michael Barrett, Penn Trustee, Penn Alumni President and James Brister Society Chair said, Dr. Chisum is a history-maker. Every Chair of the Brister Society has sought her guidance and leadership over the years. She is our guiding light. Every Trustee of color owes Dr. Chisum a huge thank you for creating the opportunities for us to follow her lead and we are grateful to stand on her strong and broad shoulders. We are honored to have her as our true north star. (Timer beeped.)
That's Dr. Chisum telling me to finish up. Our north star, Penn's north star, Dr. Gloria Chisum, you are our beacon. Thank you and thank you, City of Philadelphia. (Applause.)
Good morning. I'm not a native Philadelphian, but just like John Coltrane, Nina Simone and countless other wonderful legends in music, I came here to lay some roots and grow professionally. And I volunteered to lead Make Music Day Philly 2024 as a way to give back to the City that's given me so much and developed me as a professional. I want to thank Councilmember Landau, her staff, Cheryl Carson and the good folks at Smith Memorial Playground for responding enthusiastically to our call to make one day in Philadelphia all about free musical performance everywhere. But I have to let you know that there are some large institutions in this City who receive millions of dollars in endowments and grant monies who were at best indifferent or just said that they would not provide staffing, the funding for staffing for a few hours to have musical performances at their venue. So today I'd like to challenge Philadelphia City Council, Mayor Parker's Administration, those institutions and others throughout the City to sign up, to be all in. If we're the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection with such an indelible musical legacy, then we need more people to step up for one day. June 21st is what we ask annually to join 1,200 other global cities and locations to celebrate live music and to uplift homegrown talent. And so, I hope you all will seek me out if you're interested in joining the effort this year or moving forward in the future. Thank you. (Applause.)
Mark Macyk. May Donna Sields, Queen Judith Robinson and Cathy Kaufman also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Hi. My name is Mark Macyk. I won the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teachers with my colleague Miya Benintende who's over here. I teach at Edward Steel Elementary School up in Nicetown. And when I told my students I was going to come here to address the Council, I said what should I say. And they said, please tell everyone that we don't like the food in the school. And I said, okay, how about something good. And one of my students rose her hand and said, say you have the best bilingual student in the whole city. And I do, and her name is Zuri Feliz Diaz. And you guys will meet her eventually on her way up I'm sure. And then another kid said, please tell them that we don't like the food in the school. I said, okay, but how about something good. They said, tell them about us, tell them about our homeroom. And this is my homeroom in Nicetown where they came and they filmed our class as the way to train all the other classes to show what reading should be like. And I said, I'll tell them about that. I'll tell them about you guys, the nice kids from Nicetown. And then they said, okay, but please tell them we don't like the food in the school. And I said, okay. And then one girl, she threw her hands up and she said, I knew this was going to happen. You're going to become too famous and you're going to leave us for a good school. And I said, this is a good school and why would I leave here, Steel is my home. And the thing is good teaching doesn't happen in a vacuum. We have great teachers. We have great students. We have it all, but we can't do it without support from City Council from all the people because we do have these wonderful students and teachers in Nicetown at Steel. And I just wanted to have the opportunity to address you. Thank you guys so much. (Applause.)
Donna Sields. Then Queen Judith Robinson, Cathy Kaufman and Jeremy Blatstein.
Good morning, City Council. My name is Donna J. Sields. I currently live in Southwest Philadelphia in Council President Johnson's District. Council President Johnson, I want to thank you sincerely for responding to my neighborhood's needs and helping us repave our driveways. I'm here to testify on Bill 240370, which renames the West Oak Lane Library the Dwight Evans Library. I'm glad City Council is honoring Representative Evans' work and education and I hope Councilmembers consider carrying on his work by increasing the share of property taxes going to the School District to 60 percent. I am a registered nurse in the Philadelphia School District and I serve nearly 800 students. My colleagues and I are constantly enduring hardships of numerous students experiencing the loss of parents, homelessness, assaults, abuse, depression, isolation, anxiety, unworthiness and identity crisis. As staff members required to complete state-mandated benchmarks, we do not possess the bandwidth to support these students through the traumatic experiences which consume them and inhibit their ability to thrive academically. I graduated from the School District of Philadelphia and I have experienced massive detrimental effects due to the lack of educational and recreational resources that resulted from chronic cuts and underfunding. Although I overcame those challenges, it took finding organizations who poured into me as an adult what I was lacking throughout my childhood. We must remain diligent and mindful of the historical austerities which have yet to provide equality throughout our city, the family dichotomy which was borne from ancestral trauma. We have to be fully vested in seeing Philly students succeed no matter what they've been through. Only then will we see true brotherly love. We can not fund the District and expect the student experiences will be better than what I experienced. The School District must have enough resources and staff to help our children. We need more compassionate counselors, productive social workers, caring nurses and partner organizations who hold the interest of our students' passionate beliefs and pursuits. We will not see the change necessary for the betterment of our society unless we invest in our schools. Please increase the share of property taxes going to Philadelphia schools to 60 percent where it used to be. Thank you.
Queen Judith Robinson. Then Cathy Kaufman, Jeremy Blatstein and Rebecca Jean Murphy. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Yes. Good morning. Queen Judith Robinson here. Hold on. According to the Philadelphia Gay News, survey says racism, yes, deep-seated racism, institutional racism is the number one area of discrimination in America and right here in Philadelphia, number one area of discrimination. Regarding the Zoning Board -- trying to hit all these areas -- major conflict coming our way. We can't have this recusing and moving back and forth after deals have been crafted. We have a $32 million police facility that's being bullied down our throat in North Philadelphia where gentrification is in the midst, okay, and people are coming on board to rubber stamp. We are challenging it now saying hell no. We want you to know that we have five different police forces overpolicing us in North Philly and we still have murder and mayhem, so we need to clarify what's going on with our police department as it relates to $32 million. And our rec centers and our libraries are in need of repairs. We're getting painting on outside and we have no repairs inside. Legacy of former Council President Darrell Clarke, shame on the mess. Housing Trust, if we don't rein in PHA and this wheeling and dealing going on, Housing Trust is not worthy of trust. Firearms, yes, I agree 87 percent, am I correct, of the crimes were committed in our great city with these illegal unserialed firearms, so whatever we could do to call the ATF in. When we're asking the President for something, remember, no permanent enemies, no permanent friends, just permanent agenda, Black people. Ask for something that can help us in our community. Thank you very much for the time. Thank you very much for your time.
Good morning. Can you all hear me? My name is Cathy Kaufman. I live at Broad and Pine in District 2, Council President Johnson's District. And I'm here on behalf of Bill 240370, which renames the West Oak Lane Library the Dwight Evans Library in honor of Representative Evans' supportive education. I'm urging City Council to continue his legacy by strengthening educational opportunities in Philadelphia. Please expand Philadelphia PreK by 250 seats and increase the millage rate going to the District to 60 percent. I lived and worked in Lower Merion School District for 25 years. My children attended Lower Merion public schools and had all the resources and services they needed at their fingertips, both academic and enrichment. Since retiring in 2022, I serve on the Boards of First Up, which is a nonprofit committed to early childhood education, and Reading Aloud, a literacy nonprofit that provides specialized reading instruction to underserved students in Philadelphia. For the past three years, Reading Aloud has worked with General Meade Elementary. The difference between the school in Lower Merion where I taught and Meade Elementary is striking. Meade has crowded classes and the academic and emotional needs of the kids are profound without the resources to adequately address them. The principal and staff at Meade are deeply committed to their students and they do the best they can. But I'm sad to say that if Reading Aloud did not get the private funding to work at Meade the children there would not have received the interventions they need to even begin to advance their reading proficiency. You have a handout called Now is the Time, which indicates that 58 percent of students across the City and in your Districts are failing the reading PSSA. Without supports like PreK and adequate school funding, reading scores will not improve. Right now just over half of Philadelphia adults are functionally illiterate and nearly two-thirds are low literate. If Philadelphia is to become a city that people want to move to, to pay taxes to, to raise children in, then we need to start investing in education. That's why I'm asking City Council to expand Philadelphia PreK by 250 seats and to increase the millage rate going to the School District to 60 percent. PreK provides a strong academic start and school funding will ensure that these students will not continue their journeys underfunded, understaffed and underresourced. To quote Mayor Parker, we're not interested in speeches. We're watching what you do. Our students deserve the same prospects as the students in districts like Lower Merion. Thank you. (Applause.)
Jeremy Blatstein. Can Rebecca Jean Murphy, Connor Hogan and Jake Zychick please also make their way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning. 10 minutes late, but we'll let it slide. I'm Jeremy Blatstein and I'm talking in support of Resolution 240545 introduced by Councilmember Landau, a resolution declaring the City of Philadelphia's commitment to protect the rights and equal protections of all LGBTQ+ Philadelphians in light of the recent increase in attempts to restrict the rights of transgender people. It's really an amazing thing, and I just really want to acknowledge Councilmember Landau for being the first openly member of the LGBTQ+ community and the impact that she has been doing for the community to really fight for their rights and really have their voice. I also want to just do a quick mention of Stonewall for those people who aren't aware of that. It's a sports league for people in the community. I've participated as an ally and I really think that it's something that really brings new people to the City of Philadelphia together and I encourage you to pass that along to your constituents. And the last point that I would like to make is in regard to the increase on the Homestead exemption that is going up by $20,000. And really what is the impact that that is going to have on the Philadelphia School District? By my estimate, it's probably $10 million a year and over 10 years that's $100 million. So similarly what people were talking about today what are we doing to either replace that income or really look at that because that's something that we just took another $250 million from the School District over 10 years, and that has been something that just got put in that I don't believe really is going to have any discussion over the next two weeks, but I appreciate that and I hope we'll be on time next week. Thank you.
Rebecca Jean Murphy, Connor Hogan, Jake Zychick and Anthony McNeil. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning. I'm Jean Murphy. Thank you to everyone in this room for your service to Philadelphia. I am the manager for the Annual fund and Leadership Giving at University of the Arts. I'm also a member of the UArts staff union with United Academics of Philadelphia. Like many of my colleagues, I heard about UArt's closure through the Inquirer article published in the evening of May 31st. Former President Kerry Walk and the Board of Trustees did not send us official communication until an hour and a half later, and this lack of transparent and prompt communication with our community has become the embarrassing precedent in the wake of the closure announcement. Faculty, staff and students have been showing up to campus so we can pick up the pieces left after this catastrophe and support one another. Where are our leaders though? In addition to our leaders not being on campus this week, we have also not heard definitive answers about what is expected of us in this closure. I do not know the details of my pay, my benefits or even my employment status. I'm speaking here in support of the resolution to investigate the unprecedented and heartbreaking closure of UArts so we can hold the Board of Trustees and all responsible parties accountable. I've worked at UArts for less than two years, but in my time I have felt the importance of this institution in the Philadelphia community. For it to be gutted without notice will be felt for years to come. On the same day former President Walk resigned, the University canceled impact negotiation with the faculty and staff unions and have yet to give us a new date. Yesterday, June 5th, our union filed an unfair labor practice charge in response to the cancellation. Again, I'm here to vocalize my support of the resolution by Councilmember Squilla to investigate the UArts closure not only so this community can get much needed answers but also to prevent the situation from happening in other communities. UArts leaders have failed our students, faculty, staff and the entire UArts -- the entire Philadelphia arts and culture community. As leaders of the City, I'm asking you to not fail us as they have, to get answers to why this is happening and to help us. Thank you for your time and thank you for your solidarity. (Applause.)
Connor Hogan, Jake Zychick, Anthony McNeil and then Lynn Landes.
Good afternoon. My name is Connor Hogan and I am an Associate Adjunct Professor at the University of the Arts. I'm also a member of The UArts faculty union. I'm here to speak in support of Councilmember Squilla's resolution to hold a hearing in the closure of UAarts. Last Friday evening I read about the UArts closure from an article in the Philly Inquirer like my fellow faculty staff and over 1300 undergraduate students. We learned from the media that on June 6th one week later our school's doors would be closed. Email communications from President Kerry Walk and the Board of Trustees sent over the weekend offered no clear answers. On June 4th a town hall that promised information on this closure was canceled 10 minutes before its scheduled time. The United Academics of Philadelphia, the union which I am a proud member of, has been trying to get negotiations scheduled on this unheard of closure and its impact on our union members. I moved to Philadelphia in 2017 to attain a Master's degree at the UArts. In 2023 I had the great honor to teach these brilliant students who are now left stranded. UArts is more than just my livelihood. It's my community here in Philly and its absence we felt throughout the whole city. My story is just one of many. With this closure, faculty, staff and students have found a frustrating and enraging end to this institution that has been a vital part of the artistic ecosystem of Philadelphia. The least we can get from this loss is answers. On Tuesday, the Board of Trustees canceled our impact negotiations again on short notice. As of today, we have no detailed information on pay, employment status or benefits. Students have yet to receive any information on a teach-out plan. Staff have received no directives and yet still come in every day to get their jobs done. Former President Walk and the Board have offered nothing but useless sentimental messages and canceled meetings. We need answers. We need transparency. We need City Council to hold the Board of Trustees accountable for this closure and its impact on the community. I ask that you please support the resolution to hold a hearing on this closure. Thank you. (Applause.)
Jake Zychick. Then Anthony McNeil and Lynn Landes. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Hello. My name is Jacob Zychick. I'm with the American Heart Association and thank you so much for having me today. First off, I would like to wish everyone a Happy Pride Month this month. And then second off, I'd like to thank Councilmember Ahmad and the entire City Council for honoring June 10, 2024 as a centennial celebration of the American Heart Association. The American Heart Association was founded in June 1924 and since its inception, deaths have been cut in half by cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association has awarded over $5.7 billion in cardiovascular medical research, making us only second to the United States government. I really want to talk about the local impact that the American Heart Association has had in Philadelphia. We've trained nearly 60,000 individuals in life-saving hands-only CPR, including 25,000 from CPR kiosks strategically located all throughout the City at centers like Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church. Just in 2023, we rewarded $20 million in research grants to institutions based in the City of Philadelphia and we continue to partner with the School District of Philadelphia in the City to improve nutrition standards in schools, early childhood education and procurement. We've also worked with the School District to improve standards around water access in schools and look to work more towards physical activity. So once again, I would like to thank Councilmember Ahmad and the entire City Council for recognizing June 10, 2024 as a centennial celebration of the American Heart Association and really look forward to working with you all in the next year to address cardiovascular health and stroke. Just recall heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the City of Philadelphia so we have a lot of work to do in the next upcoming years, but thank you so much for your time and have a great rest of the day. (Applause.)
Anthony McNeil, Lynn Landes, then William Hendrick and Ogbonna Hagins. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good afternoon. My name is Lynn Landes, founder of Sensicalsociety.org regarding Resolution 240545 where Philadelphia City Council is protesting restrictions on the rights of transgender people, many others however are asking what about the rights of girls and women to participate in female sports and not to be threatened by biological males who want to compete as female but who are stronger by nature and who are breaking records in women's sports as we speak. What about girls' and women's rights to privacy for males and vice versa, in locker rooms, showers, restrooms, sororities, fraternities and even prisons? What about the rights of women to college scholarships, jobs, contracts and other benefits? What about parents' rights over their minor children who may be considering transitioning? Already Philadelphia allows children over 11 years old to get certain vaccines without their parents' knowledge or consent. Will children be able to make medical decisions about transitioning as well? What about books in public libraries that may contain pornographic sections and explicit drag performances that may be inappropriate for children? Are we supposed to say all of this is okay? The public appears to be more than willing to accommodate transgender people in their own separate category and things such as sports, but many do not support violating the rights of males, females and parents in the process. There are commonsense solutions to these issues, but this resolution is only looking at this controversy through the transgender lens. Lastly, we should also be focused on another extremely important and related issue and, that is, overexposure to female hormones, otherwise known as estrogen-mimicking hormones, that have a harmful effect on sexual development in all life forms. Overexposure to female hormones comes from fossil fuels, medications and the foods we eat, and this is an issue that Corporate America does not want us to look at, but it is an issue as with all controversies that deserves our attention and to be publicly considered from all angles, something this resolution does not do. Thank you very much.
Yes. Good afternoon, everybody. See you smiling over there. Usually when I come here as a motivational speaker, formerly of WDAS, I worked with Joe Butterball Tamburro for more than 22 years. I don't know what I'm going to say because God takes over my body and my heart starts beating fast, I need to step back and let God speak to all you ladies and gentlemen. And his message is, look at each other and smile and be kind. That's our purpose here on earth. Your name is your purpose. It's why you're here. Your ancestors are here all throughout this building looking down on all of you, and the message is be the best public servant. Let me repeat that. God's talking to you. The message is be the best public servant on the planet Earth. I made a few notes here, but God cancelled them because it's more important that we as human beings, residents of the planet Earth -- we're residents. I don't care if you're Republican, Democrat, man, woman, child, whoever --
How are you doing, sir. Just tell me a little bit about Michael Johns and the Zoning Board.
Hold up, but let me say this. I approve, it's approved and I'm out.
Great morning, everyone. My name is Ogbonna Hagins. I'm a fourth generation chattel slavery survivor and I'm the unseated council president. I've been coming before City Council urging this body to adopt my structural racism Bill 2024. And for some reason, my bill is being ignored. I've had attorneys and college professors read the bill and found it doable. And yet for some reason, I can't get this body to read it. This is why I say we need a different type of redevelopment in this City --
Yeah, tell me a little bit about the redevelopment, my brother.
I'm talking about right here, the redevelopment and urban renewal of portions of the New Kensington. You're messing up my flow, Council President, so I'm going to have to request more time. Now, I know why -- I know what's up with this City here. It's the gross domestic product of Philadelphia. It's the measure of market value and the final goods and services produced within the county of Philadelphia. In 2022, it was $120 million. It pains me to say this, but the public has the right to know. The City of Philadelphia cannot economically afford losing the domestic product of American Freedman going to prison from its overall market value, which means this City has no political intention of eradicating gun violence. Philadelphia must maintain gun violence. They must maintain this to keep the economy going. Without American Freedman going to prison, this City will be economically bankrupt. So what I'm calling for is this, what we have here in the City fiscally functioning without violating our 13th Amendment, this City cannot function without violating the 13th Amendment rights of American Freedmen. So that being the case, I ask all residents in this City, the ACLU and the clergy to call for placing the City of Philadelphia in federal receivership for breach of contract, breach of duty, security fraud and repudiation of the 13th Amendment. The Roadmap to Safer Communities, the researchers wasn't wrong. This City is structurally racist to the core and no matter what kind of programs you have, gun violence is never going to end in this City because you guys are violating the American Freedmen's 13th Amendment Constitutional rights. 6/6/24 - STATED - 2ND READING (Applause.)
Council President, there are no other names for public comment.
Okay. All right. This concludes the public comments for today.
No, thank you for being here with us. 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. 240068.
A resolution proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter further providing for mandatory 6/6/24 - STATED - 2ND READING annual appropriations for the Housing Trust Fund, and providing for the submission of the proposed amendment to the electors of Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240068.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of Councilmember Gauthier, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240068 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.) 6/6/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, the motion carries and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240534.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank deeds conveying title to 1234-1240 South 47th Street; 3914, 3935, 3936 and 3938 Folsom Street, located in the 3rd Councilmanic District, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution No. 6/6/24 - STATED - 2ND READING 240534.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of Councilmember Gauthier, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240534 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 Resolution No. 240545. 6/6/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
A resolution declaring the City of Philadelphia's commitment to protect the rights and equal protections of all LGBTQ+ Philadelphians in light of the recent increase in attempts to restrict the rights of transgender people.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240545.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of Councilmember Gauthier, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 6/6/24 - STATED - 2ND READING 240545 -
Landau. Pardon me, Mr. President. On behalf of Councilmember Landau, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240545 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 Resolution No. 240546. 6/6/24 - STATED - 2ND READING
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2839 North Orianna Street located in the 7th Councilmanic District in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Lozada for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240546.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240546 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
6/6/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240547.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank a deed conveying title to 2035 East Birch Street, located in the 7th Councilmanic District, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Lozada for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240547.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of 6/6/24 - STATED - 2ND READING the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240547 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries and the resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240549.
Resolution approving the appointment of Richard Harris to the Board of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.
6/6/24 - STATED - 2ND READING The Chair recognizes Councilmember Driscoll for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240549.
Move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240549 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 Resolution No. 240550.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia 6/6/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank a deed conveying title to 1900 East Lehigh Avenue, located in the 1st Councilmanic District, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Squilla for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240550.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240550 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
6/6/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it. The motions carries. The resolution is adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 240551.
A resolution approving the First Amendment to the Redevelopment Agreement of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for the redevelopment and urban renewal of a portion of the New Kensington-Fishtown Urban Renewal Area, identified by house number and street address as 2451-2453 Frankford Avenue; and authorizing the Redevelopment Authority to execute the First Amendment to the Redevelopment Agreement with BMK Properties, LLC and to take such action as may be necessary to effectuate the First 6/6/24 - STATED - 2ND READING Amendment to the Redevelopment Agreement.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Squilla for a motion regarding Resolution No. 240551.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution No. 240551 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 6/6/24 - STATED - 2ND READING adopted. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240059.
An ordinance amending Title 19 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Finances, Taxes and Collections," by adding a new Chapter 19-4600, entitled "Low-Income Tax Provisions," providing for the refund or forgiveness of real estate tax liability of certain low-income residents attributable to real estate tax increases and increases in the assessed value of the taxpayer's homestead, 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.
Council President, I vote aye on this bill and all other bills that I did not vote on because I stepped away. Thank you, Council President.
Council President, I vote aye and on all other bills where I was absent. Thank you.
Aye. The ayes are 17. The nays are 0. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Will the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 240061.
An ordinance 6/6/24 - STATED - 2ND READING providing for the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Philadelphia the proposal set forth in a resolution approved by Council proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, further providing for mandatory annual appropriations for the Housing Trust Fund and authorizing and directing the appropriate officers to publish notice and to make arrangements for the special election.
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.
Councilmember Gilmore Richardson. 6/6/24 - STATED - 2ND READING