The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution recognizing and honoring the Imhotep Charter High School boys' basketball team for winning its sixth consecutive Public League Championship and 2/26/26 - STATED - 2ND READING celebrating its historic achievement in Philadelphia high school basketball. Introduced by Councilmember Bass.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the 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.)
Anyone opposed? (No response.) 2/26/26 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Chief Clerk, please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring Pastor Clement M. Lupton, III, for his outstanding leadership, faithful service and transformative impact upon the spiritual and civic life of the City of Philadelphia in recognition of Black History Month. Introduced by Councilmember Bass.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'm honored to move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.) 2/26/26 - 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. Chief Clerk, please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution authorizing the Joint Committees on Public Health and Human Services and The Children and Youth to hold hearings to raise awareness regarding the role of gaming platforms and social platforms and their use in 2/26/26 - STATED - 2ND READING grooming, recruitment and exploitation of minors, including conduct that may lead to human trafficking. Introduced by Councilmember Ahmad.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the 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.)
Anyone opposed? 2/26/26 - STATED - 2ND READING (No response.)
The ayes have it and the resolution is adopted. Hopefully we can sue Roblox. So good job, Dr. Nina Ahmad.
Maybe we'll sue them -- a third time's a charm. Chief Clerk, please read the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution recognizing and honoring the Philadelphia Orchestra on the occasion of its 125th Anniversary, celebrating its founding in 1900 and its enduring role in establishing Philadelphia as a global center of culture, creativity and artistic excellence. Introduced by Councilmember Ahmad. 2/26/26 - STATED - 2ND READING
Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. 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. Chief Clerk, please read 2/26/26 - STATED - 2ND READING the title of the next resolution.
A privileged resolution honoring Angelo Perryman and Perryman Building and Construction for 70 years of excellence, leadership and lasting impact on the City of Philadelphia. Introduced by Councilmember Ahmad.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad for a motion on the resolution.
Thank you, Council President. 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 signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Chief Clerk, please read the next resolution.
Council President, there are no further resolutions in my possession.
That completes public comment for today. Are there any speeches on behalf of the Minority? The Chair recognizes Councilmember Kendra Brooks, Minority Leader.
Thank you, Council President. Today is our last meeting of Black History Month and it was wonderful to see so many colors and patterns in chambers today to celebrate African heritage. Thank you to my Chief of Staff Shakeda Gaines for organizing this tradition at City Council. Today as part of Black History Month, I introduced a resolution to honor Black women who nourish Philadelphia's communities. These women are at the forefront of urban agriculture, community garden and food security in our city, and they have been doing the work for decades, often without taking important steps towards building sustainable local food networks that honor our communities, our culture and our environment. I am grateful and proud to recognize Dr. Carol Simmons, Nyoca Carr, Estelle Vaughn, Pela McFee and Carolyn Booker and to remember the legacy of Ms. Winnie Harris who passed in 2017. We honor these women by passing this resolution today, but we also know that the best and most important way to honor their work is by ensuring that urban agriculture can continue into the future. That means protecting community gardens, reforming the Land Bank and creating better pathways to land security for urban farmers. I look forward to working with all of my colleagues on these issues in the future. Today I also passed a resolution thanking Josh Shapiro for introducing a budget that legalizes marijuana. Today City Council called on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to support the Governor's plan. Pennsylvania's cannabis laws have caused enormous harm to Black communities across the state, and change is long overdue. We need laws to support local Black entrepreneurs in the industry and repair the harm of criminalization. Legalizing marijuana can also bring hundreds of millions dollars here in much- needed revenue to the city and state. I hope 2026 is a year that Pennsylvania finally legalizes adult-use cannabis and we begin to see the many benefits of our economy and our communities. It makes no sense that Philadelphians can travel over to New Jersey and spend their money to buy legal weed. Yet we remain sitting on the sidelines as a state. I also want to take a moment to invite all of my colleagues to next week's People's Hearing on reproductive health. We will be hearing stories from community members having been impacted by the cuts to funding for reproductive care and a range of experts on the needs and challenges here in Philadelphia. I hope to see many of you there on Thursday, March 5th at 6:00 p.m. at the Friends Center. Child care and food will be provided. Thank you so much. (Applause.)
Thank you very much. Chair recognizes speeches of the Majority. Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad.
Thank you, Council President. I wanted to start off with our schools. This week I sent two separate letters to advocate for Waring School and Lankenau High School and to keep pushing for a process that people can actually follow. When a school is even mentioned in the context of closure or consolidation, families do not experience that as a planning exercise. They feel it as a right -- feel it right away. It affects enrollment decisions, staff morale and the stability of programs long before any final decisions are made. We owe these communities clarity, transparency and respect, and we will owe them a process where the public can see the logic, verify the inputs and understand what happens next. And there's a meeting today, which will be addressing this. The School Board is meeting on this issue. And there's a press conference that PFT is having right before that. On a lighter note, I wanted to take a moment to recognize something positive and truly Philadelphian. Today we honored the Philadelphia Orchestra on its 125th anniversary. It was really technically 126th because the 125th happened last year, but we presented a citation celebrating what it has meant to our city and to come for generations. I also recognized Angelo Perryman and his daughter Angelina Perryman for the legacy of Perryman Building and Construction and its lasting impact on Philadelphia. We will be doing a presentation with him to present the engrossed copy, and that is going to come at a later date, but I just wanted to make sure this is in the record. And I wanted to finally thank my colleagues who supported the resolution urging the Senate to reject the Safe Act. The House has already acted but this bill is still pending in the Senate, so this is the moment to speak up. This SAVE Act would add new documentation hurdles for eligible voters, and those hurdles would fall hardest on people who already face barriers, including women who have changed their names after marriage, naturalized citizens, seniors, students and working families. Protecting elections should never mean making it harder for eligible Americans to vote. I encourage constituents to contact their Senators now and oppose the SAVE Act while it is still under consideration. And next, I wanted to mention my online grooming resolution that I introduced today. This is not theoretical and it is not rare. It is happening to young people across platforms. And it can start with something that looks harmless before it turns into coercion, exploitation or lasting trauma. Parents are trying to keep up. Schools are trying to respond, and too often the system only catches it after damage is done. I'm looking forward to holding a joint hearing between the Committee on Public Health and Human Services and Committee on Children and Youth so we can hear from experts, from parents and young people. The goal is to focus on prevention, reporting pathways that families can trust and the support that would be in place when a child is at risk. Finally, a scheduling note for the public: The Reproductive Health hearing that was rescheduled is now on Monday, March 2nd at 1:00 p.m. I encourage residents to tune in, submit testimony and stay engaged, because this is about access to care, accurate information and the ability of people to make decisions based on about their health with dignity and also to identify gaps. Thank you, Council President. I yield back.
Thank you very much. Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Anthony Phillips.
Thank you, Council President. I just want to remind the public that we have -- all of the residents of the 9th District that we are continuing to have our town halls that are happening. If you go to our social media, you will see all of our town halls or join our (inaudible) or call our office at 215-686-3454. We have one tonight for the Lower North (inaudible) at Housing Recreation Center from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. located at 5091 Summerdale Avenue. Our town halls are opportunities for you to share your concerns about public safety, neighborhood services, youth programming and community development. Our office believes in listening. And next month, we will be listening, honoring and supporting Chief Inspector Nicholas Smith. And I'm looking forward to recognizing them with all of you next month. So with that being said -- also I'd like to thank my fiancee for joining me today to visit, taking away time from her day-to-day just to come see us.
Thank you, Mr. President. It seems that as elected officials, we take in a lot of stuff about us. People say a lot of vile stuff about us. It seems like we're not allowed to have a sense of humor about it as well. But I want my constituents to know -- my constituents do know that in the 5th Council District we are fighting each and every day to improve their lives. And with that, this week I want to thank my colleagues for passing a resolution honoring or welcoming hundreds of law students from across our region to Philadelphia as they descend for the 58th Annual Regional Convention of the Mid-Atlantic Black Law Student Association is taking place February through March 1st at 17 the Sonesta Hotel also in the 5th 18 Council District. Law students, 19 legal professionals and advocates 20 from across the region will gather 21 in the spirit of this year's theme, 22 Liberty Calling Echoes of Progress. 23 So we hope all of those 24 who are visiting our city will fall in love with our city. We hope you bring your talents to the City of Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection. And I encourage everyone who is interested in the law or being an attorney in any way to check out their convention. I also want to thank my colleagues for passing the resolution today honoring and recognizing March as National Reading Month and March 2nd as Read Across America Day. I want to thank some of those organizations who participated today, Mighty Writers, Read by 4th, Read to Succeed, Barbershop Books, Beyond Literacy, the Strawberry Mansion Learning Center. And also, I want to thank Mr. Wick Savage for testifying as well. So literacy remains -as you heard today, it's one of the biggest crises that we have in the City of Philadelphia. And 70% of our 4th graders cannot read at grade level. That's 70%. And then you heard another statistic that said that 70% of households living in housing, their parents can't read. So if the parents can't read, the probability that the child will be able to read is very, very low. And so, we have to do more to expand literacy for all. Literacy remains one of the strongest predictors of long-term educational success, economic mobility and positive health outcomes. So we need to continue to invest in our children as our city struggles with this literacy crisis in our city. I also want to thank you all for passing a resolution naming this week as Public Schools Week. This is a national celebration of public schools in our society. We know that public schools play a critical role in educating generations of students, fostering civic engagement and preparing young people to become productive citizens. Every neighborhood deserves to have quality and thriving public schools. We must remember that public education belongs to the people and not special interests, right. And so, I look forward to having conversations tonight, as my Council colleague alluded to, at the School District of Philadelphia Board of Education where the Board will formally be presented the facilities plan. I'll be in attendance tonight alongside educators, families, union members to hear the discussion about school closures, consolidations and also the receiving schools from these plans, right. And also, want to understand what these catchment lines look like and ensure that there's equity in that. So if we want to make sure that student voices are heard, parent voices are heard, the educators are heard, tonight is a critical opportunity to make your experiences, your concerns and your solutions part of the public record. Transparency matters. Community deserve clear information about decision-making criteria, the timeline and the long-term impact before any decision is made. So public engagement does not end with the release of this plan, right. This is where it begins now when it's formally presented to the School Board.
So we encourage everyone who cares about the future of public education in the City of Philadelphia to attend and to testify on that. And, Mr. President, one final note. Today we did introduce legislation, which I think clarifies an interpretation of our zoning code. Most zoning officials, zoning practitioners and code officials interpret this particular section of our code to mean that if you have a use registration permit and you do not obtain what's called a certificate of occupancy within six months, then your use registration permit lapses. I think that this comes down to literacy and interpretation and comprehension skills of folks. There's a narrative being pushed that that's not what the common interpretation is. But currently on zoning permits currently right now, it clearly says for zoning permits not involving development, meaning if there are no 12 construction documents associated with your permit, you have six months to change your use. And so, what this bill 16 does today is clarify that that says -- and adds a specific sentence to the code that says, zoning permits without construction documents and use registrations, you have six months to change that particular use. That's been the common interpretation. I just want to clarify that for those who are not zoning practitioners or code officials, so there's no 4 misunderstanding or misinterpretation of our zoning code. And I look forward to having those hearings and those discussions with my colleagues as we advance this legislation through Philadelphia City Council. So thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you. Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau.
Thank you, Council President. Today I introduced a resolution to recognize HIV Is Not A Crime Day. My journey in LGBTQ+ advocacy began during the early years of the HIV-AIDS epidemic. While people living with HIV can now better manage their diagnosis, this work is far from complete. The stigmatization and criminalization of HIV persists even after all of the advancements we've made. Criminalizing HIV as we do in Pennsylvania does not enhance public health, rather it fosters hatred, discourages testing and prevents those in need of treatment from seeking it out. Recently the Trump Administration announced a $600 million cut to HIV prevention and other public health programs. This funding loss jeopardizes years of progress in LGBTQ+ health care and we must protect all our Philadelphians, especially the queer community, from stigmatization and access to testing preventative drugs and support. Today I also introduced a resolution honoring the U.S. Women's Hockey Team who brought home the gold medal at the Winter Olympics, representing the United States with excellence. I was so pleased to have Ed Snyder Youth Hockey and Education here to speak to the importance of women's sports, not just in Philadelphia but across the world. Women's sports uplifts communities, promotes gender equity and inspires future generations to pursue excellence. I can't speak for that guy in the White House, but I am very proud of what the U.S. Women's Team has accomplished. Finally, last week, alongside Councilmember Gauthier I introduced a resolution urging the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, to increase investments in permanent supportive housing and evidence-based solutions to homelessness. These funds are essential for organizations that offer crucial services to ensure that our most in-need residents have a safe place to stay. Thank you to all of the people who provided powerful testimony today, including lived experience, and for everybody who came out to public comment today on these issues. Thank you very much.
Thank you. Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I would state for the record that I would party with everybody in City Council, but particularly Member Brooks. She goes to the neighborhood she's still from and she is respected in that neighborhood. So I would hang out with her first and I'd line the rest of y'all up. So I want her to know that. However, on the resolution supporting the Governor's efforts to legalize marijuana, I would then hold her responsible for certain key things: Ask yourself right now, at your home when you walk out the door, what do you have a higher probability of running to, a book, a vegetable, marijuana or a gun? If you can say marijuana enhances the quality of life, that if you put it at the corner store nearest you, that people responsibly are going to handle that, or in some parts of the 4th District I know that that's going to go on top of liquor-by-the- drink, loosey cigarettes, gambling machines. And so, there is a difference in how the Majority Leader has been fighting for regulation of stores that have become a plague in our community. Let's not add on. Let's add regulations to. So if you violate liquor-by-the-drink, if you violate loosey cigarettes or if you sell illegal marijuana three times, you're out. No, you can't sell it to your cousin. No, you can't open up next week. No, we're going to hold you to a higher standard for our children. So as long as we do that -- I know we need a revenue. I know we're fighting for SEPTA. I know we're fighting for public education. We got to figure out what's the hard we're willing to live with. Choose your heart. But even with your heart, you got to know how to regulate it so that it minimizes some of the negative impacts on our community. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you very much. There are no more speeches on behalf of the Majority. Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Council stands adjourned until Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
Ayes have it and we are adjourned. - - - (Stated Meeting adjourned at 1:09 p.m.) - - C E R T I F I C A T I O N I, hereby certify that the proceedings and evidence noted are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me in the foregoing matter, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. _________________________________ TANEHA CARROLL