Good morning, Madam President, members of Council. My name is Hans van Mol, District Director for Speaker Johanna McClinton. The Speaker sends her regrets. She can't join you all as the budget negotiations continue in Harrisburg. You've already heard most of the story about Tyrone Sims so I'll simply offer this: I've had the privilege of working with Cakes every day in Speaker McClinton's district office. What has always struck me is that after decades of service, he still approaches every resident with the same compassion, humility and commitment that first brought him into public service. Residents come through our doors facing challenges, large and small. Cakes listens, he encourages and he helps, and he does so with a genuine love for the community he served for more than years. In fact, when I asked how he hopes to be remembered, Cakes gives a simple answer: that he loves his community and his people. So I can think of no 8 better reason to honor him with this park renaming today on behalf of Speaker McClinton. Thank you to Councilmember Gauthier, the members of City Council for recognizing a lifetime servant. And congratulations, Cakes. You certainly deserve this honor. Thank you. (Applause.)
Ken Hamilton. And I would like to thank City Council for recognizing me and the 33 years that I spent at Benjamin Franklin High School. Other than principal, I think I held every position in the school in all that time, but I'm most known to be the basketball coach. I coached basketball there for 28 years. I was the first African American to win the boys championship in basketball. I retired with the most wins. I coached the Dapper Dan. I was the head coach in the McDonald's -- and I know it's hard to -- I only have a minute, but I have with me because of my age, Mr. Lou Williams, who will fill you in. (Applause.)
Good morning. My name is Lou Williams, as stated. I'm one of the first Ken Hamilton's basketball players. He's been a mentor. He's been a father. He actually made a rule. He's a gamechanger. And years ago, you could have only one coach on the basketball side, outside yourself. We were winning. They didn't want that to happen so they asked him to remove me. He put me in the bat. It's called the Lou Williams rule. But the reason why I wanted to bring up about him being a gamechanger. Ben Franklin High School was undergoing a name change in 1972 to Malcolm X High School. I was one of the students to help Ken Hamilton change the school to Malcolm X High School, and that was done for a reason. He's a gentleman who had three basketball players to go to the pros. His first year he got 20 young men in college. This is a gentleman who we want to thank for letting the City Council name Kenny Hamilton Way after him. Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Hello. I'm Rose Jarbeaux. I'm imagining Martha Graham Cracker. It's so lovely to hear her name in this space. I'm imagining her hanging off the columns and christening all your laps right now. I'm reflecting a bit on the pedagogy of Dito's life and how he took identities like artist, queer and drag queen, identities in this country and even in this city sometimes feel clouded with scarcity and almost a terminal lack of imagination, and he made them places of abundance. He taught me and many other people how to use their voice, so I'm going to warm up this lovely dedication to Martha Graham Cracker and Dito with a song. And I would love for you to join me. You'll know your cue. When all the world is a hopeless jumble, and the raindrops tumble all around, heaven opens a magic lane. When all the clouds darken up the skyway, there's a rainbow highway to be found, leading from your window pane, to a place behind the sun, just a step beyond the rain. Somewhere over the rainbow way up high, there's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.
I apologize. Please conclude your remarks.
I apologize. I have to keep it fair for everybody. I apologize.
Pardon me one moment before you begin. Excuse me one moment before you begin. We have a very long public comment list today. The Council President stated at the onset of the public comment portion of this Stated meeting that each individual will have one minute and I intend to hold each individual to one minute. We must keep it fair for every single person. Thank you very much for your cooperation in advance. UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: We will keep this at one minute. Thank you, Rose. That was beautiful. On behalf of my family, the Van Reigersberg family, my nephew Luke, who's here with me today, thank you for this honor, for honoring Dito and Martha Graham Cracker, who was a genius at reaching out to every community, not just the theater community, the queer community. When we first moved to South Philadelphia, when we were warned that maybe our neighbors -- this was 20-something years ago -- may not be that accepting to us. They would come to a Martha Graham Cracker performance. After they met Dito and loved him instantly. And they would come to me after and say, my life has changed, Martha is something I never knew that could exist for me. So thank you, City of Philadelphia, for this honor. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning. Thank you for having me. My name is Nell Bang-Jensen. I am the CEO and producing director of Fringe Arts, and most important to this moment, a collaborator, fan, and friend of Dito. I had the great privilege of meeting Dito when I was years old at 13 Swarthmore College, and seeing him 14 and his legacy was a huge part of 15 the reason why I decided to make a 16 life in the arts in Philly today. 17 He cultivated a sense of 18 belonging for queer artists, really 19 for all artists in the city. Today we have the largest Fringe Festival in the United States, and I really do think that is in large part because of Dito and what he did for the city. We have living, working artists in Philadelphia today who made a life for themselves here because they felt the sense of belonging that Dito cultivated. So I ask that in this moment when we not only continue to cultivate that sense of belonging of artists in Philly, but strive to create a city that shows artists we want them here. Thank you. (Applause.)
Hello. My name is Jasmine Jiang. I'm the Managing Director of Pig Iron, the award-winning experimental theater company that Dito co-founded, and is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. So thank you to Councilmember Landau and everyone in her office who helped to make this honorary resolution possible. I'm sure by now many of you have seen the outpouring of love and grief from every corner of Philadelphia, but also from all over the world following Dito's passing, the nonstop parade of tributes and memories and poetry. Dito loved poetry across social media and in every theater and art space and queer watering hole. It's been absolutely surreal. It's hard to put into words the joy that he brought to this world, because Dito was a supernova, a comet, something outsized and otherworldly and so, so beautiful. But Dito was also the most human human I have ever known. It was an honor really. It doesn't begin to scratch the surface of how thankful I am to have known Dito, to have gotten to see him as a performer, but also as a teacher and mentor at the Pig Iron School, as a producer, as an advisor and board member and as a personal friend. It's been surreal continuing the work of Pig Iron to be in technical rehearsals right now for a production that begins this weekend to start welcoming the next cohort of graduate students and to gather our community, but we thank you all and we hope you continue on your work in honor of Dito. Thank you. (Applause.)
I'm Allen Kuharski and I was Dito van Reigersberg professor and mentor in the Theater Department of Swarthmore College. I'm an out gay member of the Board of Pig Iron Theater Company and a graduate adjunct faculty at the Pig Iron School in Rowan University. It took more than a village to raise the child. Remember today as both as Dito van Reigersberg and Martha Graham Cracker. I first met Dito when he was years old in my Intro to 7 Theater class at Swarthmore College 8 in 1990. In that class, and many 9 classes since, to the dismay of 10 many students I have insisted on 11 showing the classic film of Martha 12 Graham's Night Journey. I have now 13 seen this film at least 40 times, 14 and I always lean forward at every 15 viewing and it always makes me cry. 16 Dito at 17 had an even 17 more intense response, which started a 36-year bond between us. That video and class at Swarthmore was also the seed that planted the divine madness in Dito that later led him to study at the Martha Graham School in New York, and eventually to create his celebrated drag persona, Martha Graham Cracker. This is the origin story and I am proud to say he always recognized it as such. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning. My name is William Smalls, and I am from a grassroots organization called Flip Philly Red. And today I rise in opposition to 260632. This resolution condemns HUD over the ending of the Restore Rebuild program. But before this council rushes to condemn Washington, it should take a hard look in the mirror. Restore Rebuild was not the only tool available to public housing authorities. Multiple federal housing programs still exist, but I don't even need this. What's going on in this chamber? This is the foundation of America and we got the circus going on. We got City Councilmembers making legislation for illegal immigrants. We had the Pride flag being raised, but this is America. The only flag that should be raised in Philadelphia is the United States flag. We got men wearing dresses, all these different -- what is going on? This is Philadelphia, Philly. I guarantee you, most of the people that y'all bring in here do not have a Philadelphia address or were born in this city. Time for the nonsense to stop.
Just one word, shame, shame, shame on you. Good afternoon, City Council President and members of the City Council. Happy Pride. My name is Evelyn Torres and I'm the Executive Director of Action Wellness. For 40 years, we have stood with people with HIV and those at risk by providing life-sustaining services. And I'm going to waste like two seconds because I can't read without my glasses. So I just want to thank -- a heartfelt thank you to Councilperson Rue Landau for recognizing the 30th anniversary of Gay Bingo. Gay Bingo was formed at a time of great activism and advocacy in the gay community, where people were being ignored, stigmatized and dying. So they are part of that celebration of that advocacy and of that determination. Gay Bingo was not only providing critical funds to support HIV services, but also created a space where people could gather, remember and celebrate. And I just want to remind that the story of Gay Bingo teaches us that when communities come together, we can overcome even the greatest challenges. As we celebrate 30 years of resilience and resistance, I ask City Council to recommit to that legacy, not only in words but through actions. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning, Madam Chair. David Alexander Jenkins. And I come to address you about de minimis non curate lex. There's a principle in the law that says that we are not to concern ourselves with trifles. I would speak to you about the horse bill today, which it seems to me a trifle in Philadelphia, and I told you why last week, because it also affects people who are not simply carriage drivers in that way. It affects the movie industry in billions of dollars, affects revenue in the city. But let me tell you, what is de minimis non curat lex, the protection of people in Philadelphia. So I'm very proud of you, Rue Landau, for the resolution to ask for a committee to discuss what happened, because I was one of the people barred behind little cages on the street who came from that wonderful festival, to be seen and to look at this area, which was supposed to be protected for the people who named that very space. And I was one of the people who thought to myself, my goodness, this is why there is a march today. So let us not take our time to stop people like this from driving into work every day, but let us take our time to remember that the law provides that you do your job for what is concerning to Philadelphians. (Applause.)
Pardon me one moment before we proceed. I'm going to ask for order in the chambers so that we can get through this public comment session without any additional interruption. Again, a reminder that everyone has one minute. Thank you very much.
Will Carlos Booth, Frederica Lightford, Jeremy Blatstein, Leah Hynansky, John McAuley, Queen Judith Robinson, Jonathan Hoffmeier, Jessica McAtamney, Nico Meyering and James Dougherty, please make your way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning, City Council and residents of Philadelphia. My name is Carlos Booth, Carlos C. Booth, Sr., to be exact. I am a resident of Philadelphia and a resident -- a member of Neighborhood Restoration. I'm here today to talk about a couple things that will affect neighborhood restoration as well as all members of Philadelphia. Bear with me while I place my glasses on. Age does catch up with me right now. What's going on in the city of Philadelphia? Everybody's up and all a buzz about FIFA. FIFA to me is not the games that we're going to be celebrating. FIFA is we are finally in front of America. And what that means is that we have to stand up for the residents of Philadelphia. We are America and what's going on is we're losing out to developers, we're losing out to profiteers, we're losing out to people. My time is up. Well, that was the fastest time I've ever seen. But if I may have just a little latitude, I would like to say that Neighborhood Restoration has properties of 925 units up for sale. Some of them very quickly --
I apologize. Please conclude your remarks.
I am going to conclude by saying we need help. Save the Affordability Act for people. Thank you. (Applause.)
My name is Frederica Lightford and I'm here today to support Councilmember O'Rourke's resolution, and to reiterate how vulnerable the city is with the many crises at hand. I'm an occupant with Neighborhood Restorations, which is up for sale come July 2026. If the city doesn't prioritize and appropriate funds for neighborhood restorations, at least 3000 occupants will be facing displacement. I have resided in my dwelling for almost seven years prior to being displaced three times within a 10-year span. The thought of facing displacement once again is like a comparison to a chronic recurring illness. Home is important to me because it's the foundation of peace, comfort and tranquility. It is a safe haven, a place to retreat. When that becomes jeopardized, you become vulnerable to health and safety risks, income instability and host of other barriers. Please join tenants from Neighborhood Restorations at our town hall meeting this evening at 6:00 p.m. at 5101 Pine. We will hear statements expressing the importance of maintaining our need to reside in homes. (Applause.)
Hello, Philadelphia City Council. My name is Jeremy Blatstein. For those that don't know, thanks to my friend Rory, the A does not stand for ally. It stands for asexual, but it's important today more than ever to be a good ally of the LGBTQ+ community. I would like to give acknowledgement of the Philly Pride 365 on the Parkway. It was a well-run event and it was phenomenal for the City of Philadelphia. With that being said, transparency, accountability and communication -- what occurred at 13th and Walnut was unacceptable, but it was a communication and planning problem, right. The cops didn't know what they were doing. They didn't communicate what time that festivities closed and they didn't allow any streets to be closed, right. You need to close streets for 21-year-olds and allow that festivities in the Gayborhood to succeed. Last but not least, we're talking about SEPTA. There's no pride without ride, and we need to make sure that we ride the ride and grow Philly to 2 milly. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning. My name is Leah Hynansky. I'm a survivor of child trafficking and I speak on behalf of Bill No. 7 260303 to protect crimes of victims of crime. I support this bill. Having a structured protocol creates a physical and psychological structure of accountability that is necessary for both agencies and survivors. It's a basic human right to have structure and timeliness, and these crimes continue in our bodies and trust has been destroyed. Efficient processing of paperwork, safety, confidentiality, and accountability of city officials leads us to people who understand and help. I speak for people who do not have a voice and stories are one of survival and strength, because they deserve a voice more than anyone that I know and they deserve a respectful process and every kindness that you can offer. Thank you for support and the opportunity to speak today. Please support the structured process around T bills and U bills, and please support Bill No. 260303. Thank you very much for your time. (Applause.) MR. McAULEY: Good morning, everyone. My name is John Allante McAuley. I'm with a grassroots organization called Flip Philly Red. We're here to offer you something different because you've been voting Democrat for the Mayor's office for the past 70 years. In regard to Resolution 23 260269, it's another symbolic, non-biding resolution. It doesn't create any new laws, spending or enforceable rules. But since she gave us the opportunity to talk about it, here we go. My question to Councilwoman Kendra Brooks, who is not here, which abortion is your favorite type of abortion? The one where they use forceps to grasp parts of the baby's fetus, the limbs and torso, twist and rotate until body parts are separated, then baby's head is crushed so it can pass through the cervix or do you like the one where the vacuum is used, so baby's body is sucked into a collection bottle? In the state of Pennsylvania, you can murder babies up to six months and that's still not enough for them. Black women like Jasmine Crockett, Jamie Gauthier and Kendra Brooks is the reason for the dysfunction in the Black community. (Boo.) MR. McAULEY: This is truly the place of Sodom and Gomorrah. What type of man --
Please conclude your remarks. Your one minute is up. Excuse me. Please conclude your remarks. Your one minute is up. Please conclude your remarks so that we can continue with public comment. Please conclude your remarks so that we can continue with public comment. Please conclude your remarks. MR. McAULEY: (Inaudible.)
Good morning, all. Queen Judith Robinson here regarding 260380. Just want to interject, freedom of speech to everybody please. We must have enforcement for illegal dumping. Very important that it be a priority. However, if we're having a problem enforcing other nuisances like parking on the sidewalk, (inaudible) remain on the sidewalk all night and we can't enforce that, but we are trying to focus on a moving target, illegal dumping, which is all good. There are three pieces of legislation on the agenda today regarding cafes on the sidewalk, another obstacle to pedestrians and others using the sidewalk. ADA regulations must be considered. In the essence of time, I'm going to say the school district budget. Let's focus on proficiency for our students. I'm going to say anger management for everybody. That's what I'll leave you with as we go into summer. (Applause.)
My name is Jonathan Hoffmeier. Good morning. I want to thank City Council for recognizing and honoring Lankenau, all students, family, staff and a community of Lankenau Environmental Science High School. Your support meant so much during a time when our students had to fight for the future of their school. Despite uncertainty, our students continue to achieve the highest levels. Right now four of our 10th graders are in the University of Georgia representing Lankenau, all Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Commonwealth. This week, five students and two coaches are representing us at Pennsylvania's FFA Study Conference as what may be the first all-minority student team and coaching staff to compete at that level. These successes happen because we are given opportunities. If the district celebrates schools like Fox Chase for specialized programs, then schools like Lankenau deserve the same support, not closure. For years, Lankenau successfully hosted middle school students through our Environmental Science Experience Center experience with more than 60 community partners. We have the resource, mentorship and support to expand that model district-wide environmental lead center. We recently saw the Mayor and City Council come together for 350 teachers. The same collaborative effort must be used to preserve Lankenau on their students' opportunities and we have shirts for City Council. We love your support.
Hi. I'm Celia Flores Rivera on behalf of Jessica McAtamney. Thank you for the resolution for solidarity and preservation. Lankenau Environmental Science Magnet High School is more than a building. It's a living laboratory that trains young people to understand and protect the natural world. As Philadelphia's only environmental science career and technical and educational institute, Lankenau offers students specialized in agriculture, food, natural sciences pathways that directly connects to coursework to real careers in conservation ecology and natural resources management. Students study elastic and lentil ecology, succession theory, endangered species, pollinators, dynamics. You name it, we do it. Lankenau partners with organizations such as Schuylkill Center, (inaudible), the U.S. Department of Agriculture and all these great places. We cannot thank City Council enough for their call of solidarity and reconsideration. This resolution -- and the last thing I want to say is this really affirms that you're still fighting for us. Thank you. (Applause.)
Nico Meyering. Council, thank you for the opportunity to speak today and thank you for Resolution 260628. I serve on the Board of Disability Pride Pennsylvania, the organization bringing Disability Pride Philadelphia to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway this Saturday. Philadelphia knows what it means to fight for dignity and this room knows that as well. The queer Philadelphians who fought for recognition, the Black and Brown Philadelphians who have carried liberation movements for generations, and especially the trans Philadelphians who show up with courage every single day in a climate that is actively trying hard to erase them. I am so glad to be in community with these folks today. The disability rights movement stands in that same tradition, because so many of us are those people. Our movements are not separate. Our liberation is bound together and so is our joy. That is what this Saturday on the Parkway is. I am so proud to invite all of you this Saturday on the Ben Franklin Parkway, from noon to 4:00 p.m. Thousands of us get to celebrate together Disabled Joy. I cannot wait to see you all there. Can someone please take my photo so I can show my mom? Thank you, thank you. (Applause.)
Will Captain Sprowal and Inspector Goodson please make your way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.) CAPTAIN SPROWAL: Good afternoon. Captain Brian Sprowal, Philadelphia Police Department, commanding officer, the 22nd Police District. Councilmembers, community partners, and neighbors, thank you for being here today as we discuss the launch of Summer Night Lights 2026, a commitment to our young people, our families and the future of the 22nd Police District. Summer Night Lights is more than a program. It's a promise that every child in the district deserves a safe place to grow, to play and to belong. Beginning July 13, our Penrose and Winchester Recreation Centers will stay open into the evening, transforming into a vibrant, welcoming and protected space filled with sports, arts, mentorship and real opportunities for connection. Because we work together, we can make this neighborhood rise. This initiative brings evening programming, credible mentorship and improvement leaders, officers, coaches and volunteers and community leaders into the same space, not as enforcers but as partners, as neighbors, as people who care deeply about the success of our youth. Summer Night Lights is built on a simple belief: Safety is created, not declared. It grows from opportunity, from presence, from consistency and from the message we send when we show up night after night. Our young people matter and this city will invest in them. I thank you for your time. (Applause.) INSPECTOR GOODSON: Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Inspector Michael Goodson of the Philadelphia Police Department, and I am the lead in the Summer Night Lights program, in conjunction with Captain Brian Sprowal. Last year we had the Summer Night Lights program, working with Councilmember Young and the many stakeholders that are actually sitting in this room right now. This program started off as a vision, but ultimately it became something that was really, really good. A lot of times we come into spaces and we think that we're just providing services for just the youth, but this program was something specific. We're providing programming not only for the youth, but we're providing it for the tentacles that are attached to the youth, and that is the community, that is the men, that's the women that make this youth. So as we plan for this year and as we execute for this year and beyond, we ask your continued support for our children because our children and our neighborhoods are certainly what make up Philadelphia. So thank you very much. (Applause.)
Will Kaylan Panner, Jasmine Greene, Luc Teyssier, Kristopher Lawrence, Marc Goldy-Brown, Rev. Gregory Holston, Octavia Geiger, Christy Davis and Rebecca Segal, please make your way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning, Council, Councilmembers, Councilwoman. My name is James Dougherty along with Dougherty Consultant LLC. I'm here to give support on Bill 260303 U visa immigration bill, T visa bill. I'm asking you all to please support the U visa and T visa bill. The bill would help protect immigrant survivors in Philadelphia and all communities. Therefore, I'm asking a full support from the Council and the Council President and also the Mayor's Office. Thank you and God bless America. (Applause.)
Hello. My name is Luc Teyssier. I am a social worker, therapist and queer activist in the city. I came to support Councilmember Landau's resolution in support of Philadelphia Pride House. I'm really glad we're talking about Philadelphia Pride House because so many queer people call this city home. And when we talk about what makes a house a home, as a social worker by training the thing that I've seen time and time again what makes a home is safety. And the measures that the PPD took against the queer community in the Gayborhood during Pride weren't about safety. They were about power and control. Safety is not about storming into the streets with weapons prepared and ready to use force against civilians. This is a queer liberation issue as well as a racial justice issue. Video and eyewitness accounts show that queer and trans people of color were especially targeted, and we know that people of color are more likely to be injured and killed by police forces with impunity. I'm so glad that the opening prayer of this Council meeting began by mentioning mercy, because by nightfall police forces announced they'd be acting without mercy. Is that what makes a home? Thank you. (Applause.)
Hello, everyone. My name is Marc Goldy- Brown, President of the Philadelphia Falcons Soccer Club. We're a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that's provided access to safe, inclusive and accessible soccer since 1989, largely for LGBTQIA+ and allied populations. I'm here to thank Councilmember Landau and the rest of City Council for recognizing us and our Pride House initiative today. Over the last year and a half, we've led the Pride House Philadelphia initiative to create safe, inclusive watch parties and educational programming in preparation for the World Cup, which kicks off today, and a huge thanks to our community partners and sponsors Visit Philadelphia, Stoop Pigeon, Gabby Grooming on the Go and Lex Horwitz, who's been essential in bringing all of our work to fruition. As a volunteer-based organization, we're heavily dependent on public services such as public parks and SEPTA deliver programming to our members, so especially during Pride Month. I ask that the City continue to support inclusive, accessible services, especially for our trans, non-binary and vulnerable members. Thank you so much.
Thank you. Hello. Good afternoon. My name is Kaylan Panner and I am the Deputy Director of State Strategies at All Above All. We are a reproductive justice organization. I stand here in support of Resolution 260629, establishing a vision for reproductive freedom, family and American promise in Philadelphia. As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, we have an opportunity to define what freedom and democracy should mean for future generations. Grounded in the reproductive justice framework created by Black women, this resolution affirms that every person has the right to have children, to not have children and to raise their families in safe, healthy and thriving communities. That means quality health care where people do not have to question starting a family because they fear dying for preventable pregnancy-related conditions. It means affordable child care, paid family leave and economic security. It means safe communities where Black and Brown children can grow up, pursue their dreams and live long, healthy lives. At a time when courts and politicians across the country are working to strip away our fundamental freedoms. Philadelphia is declaring that reproductive freedom and human dignity are essential to a healthy democracy. Thank you. (Applause.) REV. HOLSTON: My name is Rev. Gregory Holston, Executive Director of Just Nation. Another budget has passed, 60 years have gone by and we still have no 4 comprehensive anti-poverty plan in the City of Philadelphia. 150,000 people living in deep poverty, 300,000 people living in poverty, 600,000 or 700,000 living at or near the poverty level, nearly 40% of our city, and still no 11 comprehensive anti-poverty plan by this city. We got together coalitions, groups, a coalition 15 to defend democracy and said we'll 16 develop that plan. It's called 17 Project Beloved Community. The 18 legislative work has been done and 19 we'll be sending it to you over the 20 summer. It is a plan that can build 65,000 deeply affordable housing units. It is a plan that can have 50,000 living wage jobs. It is a plan that can cut Black poverty in half. It is a plan that can add $1 billion to Black household wealth. We ask you to review it. We can do it with the dollars we have here alone in the City of Philadelphia --
Please conclude your remarks. REV. HOLSTON: Thank you so much.
Hi. My name is Octavia Geiger. Good afternoon, members of City Council. I'm a policy analyst with New Voices for Reproductive Justice, where we build power for and alongside Black women, Black queer folks and Black marginalized communities. I'm here today on behalf of New Voices to support Councilmember Kendra Brooks' Resolution 260629, establishing a national vision for reproductive freedom and family in the American Promise. This resolution 7 recognizes a simple truth, that reproductive freedom is much more than abortion. It's about whether people have the resources, autonomy and support they need to make decisions about their bodies, their families and their futures. It acknowledges that people can now truly exercise reproductive freedom without access to quality maternal health care, abortion care, contraception, fertility services, paid family leave, affordable child care, housing, living wages and comprehensive health care. For Black folks, these issues are even more urgent. Black women and birthing people continue to face disproportionately high maternal and birthing mortality rates, and Black families are more likely to experience economic insecurity. So I urge you to pass the resolution. Also, speaking for myself, as a native Philadelphian, I urge Council to reconsider budget cuts to Mural Arts and the Philadelphia Arts Cultural Fund. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good afternoon. My name is Christy Davis. I am a mother of three, a grandmother of eight and I reside in Project Restorations. And I am calling for the Mayor, Cherelle Parker, to purchase the 925 homes that are up for sale and keep them affordable for tenants and for people that would like to purchase. I would also like to thank Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke and City Council for hosting this town hall meeting. Also, we are having a town hall meeting today at 6 o'clock at 51st and Pine and all is welcome. Again, we're asking for the Mayor to purchase these homes and keep them affordable. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good afternoon, Councilmembers. My name is Rebecca Segal. I'm an artist and a gallery owner here in Philadelphia. I appreciate this opportunity to speak today in support of establishing Creative Philadelphia as a permanent cabinet level office. Arts, education and access to culture are deeply important. All Philadelphians deserve to be safe, healthy, happy, supported and given every opportunity to thrive. When support for arts and culture is stable, programs can be planned, partnerships can be built and teachers, mentors, artists and advocates can continue serving their communities. Most importantly, people can rely on those opportunities being there, not for one season, not for one administration, but consistently and as part of the fabric of city life. Access to arts and culture should not be tentative. It should be reliable, it should be enduring and it should remain part of the promise Philadelphia makes to its children and to its future. I'd like to thank Mayor Parker, her team, Councilmembers Isaiah Thomas and Rue Landau for their leadership in advancing this important legislation. Thank you. (Applause.)
Will Rosland Henry, Amir Barber, Naiymah Sanchez, Jasmyn Henderson, Sarah Scully, Darius McLeah, Greg Seaney- Ariq, Michael Byrne, Robb Reichard, Shawmar Pitts, please make your way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
All right. So good day, Councilmembers, friends in the gallery and those who are watching today. I am Naiymah Sanchez. I use she/her pronouns, and I rise to support the introduced resolution by Councilmember Landau to hold hearings investigating the incident on Sunday, June 7, in the Gayborhood. As a lifelong Philadelphian, I know firsthand what policing has looked like and felt like. And as a person of color, what it continues to feel like as a trans person in Philadelphia. I want to share this because I did interrupt earlier, but there are Black and Brown stripes on this inclusive flag for a reason, because racism has always existed in the Gayborhood and transphobia continues to exist. And so, what I will ask City Councilmembers to do is to investigate this, right, understand how our police are navigating our cities, our community. And we want to make sure that Philadelphia is a safe place for us all. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good afternoon, Councilmembers. My name is Jacen Bowman. I'm the President of Philadelphia Black Gay Pride. I rise today in support of Councilmember Landau's Pride Month resolutions to thank her for her continued leadership on behalf of Philadelphia's LGBTQ+ community. I want to draw particular attention to the hearings -- sorry. I want to draw particular attention to the need for the hearings to examine public safety and policing strategies around what happened this weekend during Pride. We have to make sure that never happens again. As someone who experienced and witnessed it in the Gayborhood, I felt like I was in Stonewall 2026. I don't think I need to explain why I'm here today. I speak from a place of care, intention and community. And while I appreciate statements, we need more actions because statements are not enough. People came to Pride expecting to be celebrating. I mean, people came to Pride expecting to celebrate and I think that we need to make sure that we continue the celebration long after this month. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning, Council. My name is Rashid Henry, the founder and CEO of Tap n Connect Youth Services. On your desk right now is a piece of modern public safety infrastructure, our wearable NFC resource bracelets. It's a green bag like this that you'll see on your desk. We serve Philadelphia high-risk young adults, ages 18 to 26. With a single tap of smartphone against this bracelet, a young person instantly bypasses the red tape to access American housing aid workforce pipelines and mental health crisis networks. As you vote today on Resolution 260481 introduced by Councilmember Bass to expand equitable cultural opportunities through the Art-Reach ACCESS Program, Tap n Connect is ready to serve as a digital delivery system. Our wearable tech can instantly link high-risk youth right to these expanded citywide programs, turning a passive resolution into a live physical safety net. Thank you, Councilmember Curtis Jones, for your early seed backing. I invite you all to partner with Tap n Connect to keep our youth safe and connected. (Applause.)
Amir Barber. Hi, anointing everybody. I'm an influencer in Philadelphia, and my page is MotivateYouth215. I go around the city highlighting everyday people in the City of Philadelphia. I talk about things that go on in the City of Philadelphia just to try to make people seen and make people be heard. And I want to talk about a few of those things that's going on in Philly. I want to talk about, Herk Lip and the Chicken Man, Endangered Kind, a wonderful organization, Minister Zay, that's walking from Philadelphia to California, I hope when he comes back, Philly could make something happen for him. Philly Run Tribe, you know, beautiful, beautiful run club in the City of Philadelphia, and Midnight Run, Tuesday Night Run, and the rest of the clubs that's in Philadelphia. I just hope that in the future of Philly, that these people in Philadelphia, the guys that's down here, that we can all come together and be able to work together so we can build Philadelphia. Thank you for your time. (Applause.)
Thank you, Council, for allowing me to share a few words. My name is Sarah Scully and I am a Program Assistant with Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania. I'm here today in support of two resolutions: Councilmember Landau's declaration of Pride Month and Councilmember Brooks' resolution establishing a vision for reproductive freedom, family and the American promise in Philadelphia. It is refreshing to see our local government firmly standing in support of the LGBTQ+ community at this moment, when our enshrined rights are being stripped away federally and statewide in the governments across the country. While recent attempts to codify discrimination at a statewide level in Pennsylvania have so far been unsuccessful, it is deeply troubling to see them steadily gain traction. Beyond reversing hard- fought progress, these attacks have normalized widespread intolerance and hostility toward the queer community. LGBTQ rights and reproductive rights are intrinsically linked, and this vision for reproductive freedom, family and the American promise in Philadelphia will help make the city safer for queer people. Thank you, Councilmembers Landau and Brooks for introducing these resolutions. (Applause.)
Hello. Greg Seaney-Ariq, Falcons Soccer Club. World Soccer has arrived in Philadelphia and it's a wonderful thing. Soccer is the undisputed number one international sport. And as Philadelphia grows to become more and more an international city, we must recognize the lack of places to play soccer and have conversations about this now that the World Cup is here and onward. Let's also recognize that obesity is a major public health challenge in Philadelphia, with approximately in adults and significant number of youth affected. By increasing the number of soccer pitches, not only helps our club, it increases accessibility and fosters healthy lifestyles for all Philadelphians. So on this kickoff of the World Cup, I'd like to propose tax incentives for the construction of rooftop soccer pitches as well as other locations to play. Let us promote accessibility in soccer to all sports activities as Philadelphia designs and plans its future. (Applause.)
Will Carol Lutter, Dr. Jay Arzu, Mallory Trainer, Wick Savage, Sergio Cea, Kristiana Lewis, Asa Khalif, Janet White, Jeff Jones and Patricia DeCarb, please make your way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Thank you, Councilperson Landau, and their very distinguished colleagues for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Michael Byrne. My twin sister Carlotta Tendant and I have had the immense pleasure of the honor to host Gay Bingo for the past 30 years. In that time, Gay Bingo has raised over $5 million to impact the lives of men, women, and children affected by HIV and AIDS across the Delaware Valley, helping the neediest Philadelphians at a moment in their lives that is most dire. I'm retiring my high heels this weekend and passing a torch to another host. This change in my life has made many emotions rise to the surface. Having another incredible diva pass away this week only increases those emotions. Dito and Martha Graham Cracker came up behind me and impacted our city, region and all our hearts in very real ways. I know that one of my huge blessings has been having multiple George Bailey moments due to the work of Carlotta. I hope that you do experience the same. Having LGBTQ people thank me for helping them lets me know that when they were young, they saw me and they knew it was okay to be themselves. Thank you so much. (Applause.)
Good morning. My name is Carol Lutter. I urge you to pass Bill 260465-A, banning horse-drawn carriages in Philadelphia. As the birthplace of American independence and a symbol of progress, Philadelphia must reject the exploitation of animals for entertainment and profit. This is not a matter of better treatment. This is about ending exploitation. Someone stood here and commented just last week that if we didn't use horses to cart us around, they would get fat and languish, which is not true, by the way, implying that exploiting them is for their own good. Similar arguments have been made throughout history to justify injustices and oppression of others, and it has never been okay. Just two days ago in New York City, a carriage horse collapsed, suffered terribly and died right on the street. This is yet another tragic reminder of the risk that horses face working in busy urban environments, rather than allowed to live according to their natural needs. By passing Bill 260465-A, Philadelphia will join the many cities across the U.S. and the world who recognize that tradition should change as we become more aware about oppression and unfair practices, and we can take our place in history of embracing a path toward the future of greater justice and liberty for all. Thank you. (Applause.)
Dr. Jay Arzu. Good afternoon, Council. Yesterday I wrote an op-ed in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia built a mass transit system. Now, let people live next to it. We ask with all kindness that Council pass the Transit-Oriented Community Overlay District and also revisiting the Transit Improvement Bonus and lastly, the Transit- Oriented Development Overlay District. Thank you very much for your time. (Applause.)
Hi. My name is Mallory Trainor. On behalf of Access Matters, I'm here today to support Resolution 260629 and underscore how vital it is for the city to invest in programs that support people's sexual and reproductive health and wellness. We understand it's been a very challenging budget year, but we are especially concerned to see a lack of funding for reproductive health in the current budget. Reproductive health is public health and is intertwined with mental health, maternal health and other vital aspects of people's lives, as outlined in Council Resolution 260629. When people delay access to sexual and reproductive health care services, because of barriers it adversely impacts their overall health and well-being, sending ripple effects through their community. We thank members of the City Council for their commitment and offer support for Council Resolution 260629, but reproductive health cannot wait for the next budget cycle. Programs like our Health Resource Center program, which provides adolescents in schools 20 across Philadelphia with 21 information and resources are at 22 risk of vanishing without investment. We urge the city to prioritize identifying additional sources of support and funding for these programs and other essential reproductive health programs in Philadelphia. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good afternoon, City Councilmembers. I want to speak on behalf of Bill 10 251020. First, I want to say before I get into the bill, thank you so much for your hard work that you do every day for your constituents. I've left a gift on everyone's space showing my appreciation, either (inaudible) or a big boy chain so that you can tell these young folks that you got some bling. Also, Bill 251020 is the gateway of constituents throughout the City of Philadelphia losing their properties with leaking water meters. If you know anything about infrastructure, Philadelphia has an aging infrastructure throughout the City of Philadelphia. There are more water leaks throughout that infrastructure that will supersede any homeowners water leak through their meters, but the problem is they're losing their properties behind the Water Department. Thank you. (Applause.)
Hello, everyone. My name is Sergio Cea. I use el/he/him pronouns. I'm Political Director of Reclaim Philadelphia, Board member of Liberty City LGBT Dems. In 2020, I was tear-gassed from police and armored vehicles in West Philadelphia, alongside my neighbors. I joined a class action lawsuit with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. On Sunday, again we are seeing police violence of my community in the Gayborhood. To be clear, there is nowhere that I feel safe in this community without accountability and transparency. I really welcome the resolution that Rue Landau is presenting, but we need to go beyond that. I'm glad that there is awareness about incidents that happen when it comes to police violence, but we are not safe. There are Black and Brown youth that will face more accountability for wearing sheisties in the streets than masked agents will face following the ICE Out legislation that bans it. We need a mayor that is going to stand ten toes down for the queer community and undocumented folks, not just for the police. We need City Council that invests in city budgets that address the root causes of poverty, not just police and prisons. We need to invest in public defenders that are flat-funded. We need a Citizens Police Oversight Commission that can have independent investigative power that is underfunded right now. Because without it, all this will keep happening over and over again.
Will Lynn Landes, Marita Padden, Hannah Weldon, C. Michael Robinson, Mia Rivera, John Floria, Naeem Turner, Paul Ogbonna Hagins, Sterling Johnson, please make your way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Excuse me. I apologize for the interruption. Pardon me one moment. The Chair now recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey Young.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I ask to be excused from session to attend to Council business outside of chambers. I ask that you vote aye on all bills and resolutions.
Thank you very much, Councilmember Young. Leave will be granted. Please proceed.
Hello. My name is Kristiana Lewis. Thank you, Councilmember Rue Landau, for giving me space to speak about Sunday Pride celebration. Started off as riots due to the abuse and murder of our Black, Brown, trans, and queer community. PPD continued this discriminatory act by blocking the center of the roads off so even the cars couldn't get down, but also having the crosswalks closed and forcing people into claustrophobic, crowded areas. Philadelphia police, you incited this violence by not giving us our streets for one day out of Pride Month. You purposely targeted Black and trans people to further the violence. My friend and I witnessed police on horses hitting people with batons and telling them to clear the corners or we'll charge at you, as if we aren't just trying to cross the road. I witnessed a female officer intimidating Pride-goers with a taser. I'm fully aware the only reason I didn't experience more violence is due to the color of my skin and the fact that I am straight passing. I challenge every person in this room who does not face discrimination to speak up. Violence against the LGBTQ community is not new, especially for our Black, trans, queer women and men, and should never be normalized. The truth is only as powerful as when we are unified. Thank you. (Applause.)
Hi. Good afternoon. My name is Janet White. I'm the founder and Director of Carriage Horse Freedom, which is a Philadelphia animal advocacy organization. I'm here today to express strong support for amended Bill No. 260465, which seeks to ban the operation of carriage horse businesses. Horsefront carriages are a serious public safety hazard, and also the veterinary data clearly demonstrates that they're harmful to the health and well-being of the horses. Horse-drawn carriages were reintroduced to Philadelphia in 1976 for the Bicentennial as a tourist attraction. Carriage horses suffered greatly for five decades in this practice and there were many accidents. Now, for America 250, horse-drawn carriages can finally be removed from the streets. This ordinance is more than a policy change. It is a moral and civic milestone, one that reflects who we are today and the humane, forward- looking city we aspire to be. Thank you. (Applause.)
My name is Mia, YouTuber, MiaRTV. I came to Pride to celebrate love and community, but I left shaken. I was almost trampled by a police horse. I heard tasers, saw batons being swung and watched people be pushed into barricades. Philadelphia police need better crowd management and de-escalation training to keep people safe. And speaking of horses, I urge you to ban horse-drawn carriages. Horses don't belong in chaotic crowds carrying officers, and they certainly don't belong pulling carriages through city traffic. They belong in fields, running freely, not navigating practice crowds and loud streets. And the LGBTQ+ community of Philadelphia deserves to celebrate Pride without fear. We can do better and we must. (Applause.)
My name is John Florio -- Councilmembers, my name is John Florio. I'm going to be direct because residents of this city are past a point where soft language matches where we are actually living through. I live in South Philadelphia, less than a half a block from where a 22-year- old college student was recently murdered. That young man could have been my son. That is not a statistic. That is my neighborhood and people are afraid, not uncomfortable, not uneased, but afraid for their children, afraid to walk to their cars and afraid of what is becoming normal in too many parts of this city. Long story short, I could go on. We are a failing City Council, which nobody should be proud of anything. We're the number one poverty city in this country. Mayor Parker had failed us in the worst. And let me say one thing: Philadelphia residents, get out and vote in every part in the city. Vote.
Ogbonna Hagins, fourth-generation chattel slavery survivor. Today's agenda includes multiple Land Bank redevelopment authority dispositions, several resolutions authorizing the transfer of public land without any requirement for a constitutional impact review. These actions continue a pattern that has affected historically continuous American Freedmen neighborhoods. That is why Resolution 250781 is necessary. It creates a constitutional compliance overlay to ensure public asset of -- asset decisions do not perpetuate the badges, vestiges and incidents of slavery. You are also considering zoning overlays, three bills. These bills demonstrate that Council already uses overlays to protect communities and shape development. The same tools should be used to protect lineage-based communities with deep historic roots in the city. Finally, Bill 260423 revises the city's surplus property process without requiring constitutional review. Resolution 19 250 fills that gap, requesting again the Office of Freedmen Affairs is necessary for the chattel slavery survivors. The first 90 years of this country, the American Freedmen were enslaved -
My name is Sterling Johnson. I'm here to support the resolution on Disability Pride. I can say that I'm proud to be disabled. I'm proud to fight for disabled people. That's why I feel like I'm here. I was born disabled so I've been disabled all my life. My uncle had the same physical disability. I went to disabled camps. I grew up with disabled people, so I really care about it. And I've got to say, I'm meeting more disabled people on the street, people that have become disabled just through their lives. I think it's important that we treat those people with dignity. I got to say what happened when a few weeks ago the Sheriff removed people at Camp Chloe and they didn't have anywhere to go. They're still without anywhere to go. I don't think that is right. It's the sixth time they've been removed. I think that's really bad and evil. In general, I've seen police be more forceful with people on the street in Center City. The World Cup is coming and it's clear that they're starting to give out citations, citations to people that have zero dollars and I think that's wrong. I just got to say I lost my job because I talked to people at Camp Chloe, but I got my three months of HIV meds because I knew that that's what Parker does. She punishes people --
Will Freddy Purnell, Samantha Swartz, Daniel Guy, Ryan Spak and Luis Williams, would you please make your way to the podium. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning. I'm Lynn Landes of Philly Republican Network. I support the intent of Resolution 250768 to not send waste to incinerators because they are clearly hazardous to the public health. However, there are other things the city should also do to protect the public health, as recent studies are indicating that our children, in particular, are getting more sick in both body and mind. Number one, the city could remove fluoride from the drinking water because fluoride is a known neurotoxin. They should also remove the toxic turf from our playgrounds, all of which contain Forever Chemicals. They should stop spraying chemicals on our public lands in violation of their own Healthy Outdoor Public Spaces Act. And most importantly, they should review these toxic vaccines because they might have a very, very close contact with or reasonable explanation for why we have so many children that are prone to violence. Thank you. (Applause.)
Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm requesting leave to handle official business at Lemon Hill to kick off FIFA for all of us. Hope to see you out there. And I want to be recorded as voting aye on all bills and resolutions.
Thank you so much, Councilmember Jones. Leave will be granted. Please proceed.
Hello. My name is Freddy Purnell. I am a member of the Mayor's Commission for LGBTQ Affairs, where I served as the Chair from 2022 to 2025 and I'm here today to speak about the events that happened on Sunday, June 7. I've been a queer individual in Philadelphia my entire life. I've been attending Philly Pride since I was a teenager. Philly Pride has always been an event that we look forward to every year, and never has it been as drastically -- never has it been as traumatizing, unsafe or inefficient, as it has been this year. We were going in there to celebrate with our friends, to feel joy and queer streets. And what we got instead were beaten with batons. People were chased by police on horseback. People were threatened with tasers. Police officers corralled us in to porous streets without any regard for the safety of our community or the people who are there, no regard for the disabled, Black and Brown, queer people who are trying to have a good time. It is imperative that we investigate, figure out who these masked officers are and hold them accountable. (Applause.)
Good afternoon. My name is Danny Guy. I am the Director of Administration for CPOC, the Citizens Police Oversight Commission, but I'm standing here today as a 17-year resident of Philadelphia to speak on City Councilmember Landau's resolution requesting a public hearing to investigate the incidents of Pride on June 7. What I personally witnessed in the Gayborhood was confusion, chaos and a lack of clarity from officers of how Pride participants were supposed to move through the Gayborhood. It is a failure to the queer community that the city didn't take more thought and care for planning for people to be celebrating in the Gayborhood. Having walked the streets both Super Bowl wins, Go Birds, it makes it clear who is allowed to be drunk and rowdy in the streets celebrating and who is not. We need to do better for queer Philadelphians, but especially for our trans and BPoC Philadelphians. Thank you. (Applause.)
Good morning, Council President and members of City Council. My name is Jasmine Greene. And I am a member of the Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. I appreciate the opportunity to speak today regarding Bill No. 260303 on U visa and T visa certifications. Just yesterday, I participated in a human trafficking awareness outreach effort where resources were delivered to social services organizations across the city. At one of those sites, I spoke with a survivor who shared in general terms the challenges they faced in navigating systems meant to support them. What resonated most was not the harm, only the harm they experienced, but the fear and hesitation that came from concerns about whether their information will remain confidential and whether engaging with agencies could unintentionally place them at greater risk. That experience reflects what many survivors encounter, even when services exist. Trust and clarity in how information is handled can determine whether someone feels safe enough to seek help. Bill 9 260303 addresses these concerns. And thank you for your time, your service to the City of Philadelphia and your attention to policies that impact some of our most vulnerable residents. (Applause.) UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Good afternoon, members of the Council. Firstly, Happy Pride Month and very happy early Juneteenth. I wish all celebrants peace, joy, and above all, all the jubilee, amassing the city to ban the scourge of horse-drawn carriages. Today you've heard about two days ago a 16-year-old carriage horse named Denise collapsed in Central Park, still attached to his carriage. Bystanders tried to remove it as Denise kicked and groaned before he died. A year before, 15-year-old Lady dead after working two months pulling carriages in 2022 as a rider. Three weeks ago the city hosted a beautiful event honoring Ona Judge. George and Martha Washington kept Ona as a slave here in Philadelphia. Warned of her future sale, she fled. And she was hunted on horseback for $10. This is the real history of the carriage era, not what people want to live in, a fantasy. Thank you. (Applause.)
This concludes our list for public comment today, Council President.
Thank you very much. That concludes today's public comment period as we get down to our Legislative Calendar. I want to take a moment of personal privilege to acknowledge former Roc-A-Fella recording artist Neef & Chris, and Neef, last saw him at the Roots picnic on the stage with the legendary Jay Z. (Applause.)
Thank you for joining us today as a special guest of Councilmember Cindy Bass. Thank you for joining us, sir. Appreciate you for being here. We will now consider today's Resolution Consent Agenda. I will ask that the Clerk please read the titles of all the resolutions on the Consent Agenda. After each title was read, any member may object to the inclusion of the resolution on the Consent Agenda. Upon such an objection and without debate, the resolution will be immediately removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on our regular Final Passage Calendar. The Clerk will now read the titles of the resolutions on the Consent Agenda.
Resolution 17 260481, a resolution calling for the expansion of equitable cultural opportunities for children enrolled in childcare facilities throughout the City of Philadelphia through membership access to Art-Reach ACCESS Program, particularly during the summer season, when the City welcomes visitors from around the world. Resolution 260613, a resolution also naming the 3600 block of Market Street as "Walt Palmer 'Black Bottom' Way" to honor Dr. Walter Palmer and his services and contributions to the Black Bottom and the City of Philadelphia. Resolution 260615, a resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1425 South Paxon Street, located in the 3rd Councilmanic District, in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code. Resolution No. 260619, a resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 214 Hermit Street, located in the 4th Councilmanic District, in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code. Resolution 260620, a resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority to execute and deliver to the Philadelphia Land Bank a deed conveying title to 1718-26 North 52nd Street, located in the 4th Councilmanic District, pursuant to the requirements of the Commonwealth Land Bank Act. Resolution 260623, a resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 3902 Delhi Street, located in the 5th Councilmanic District, in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code. Resolution 260624, resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1438 Poplar Street, located in the 5th Councilmanic District, in accordance with the terms of Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code. Resolution 260625, a resolution also naming the 1400 Block of Green Street as "Coach Ken Hamilton Way," in honor of Kenneth "Ken" Hamilton, affectionately known as "Coach Ham," for his extraordinary record of leadership, mentorship and service to generations of young people in Philadelphia. Resolution 260626, a resolution also naming the 2900 Block of Ogden Street as "Councilmember Bill Greenlee Way," in honor of former Philadelphia City Councilmember William K. "Bill" Greenlee, and in recognition of his decades of dedicated service to the people and neighborhoods of Philadelphia. Resolution 260628, a resolution declaring the month of July as Disability Pride Month in the City of Philadelphia, and affirming the City of Philadelphia's commitment to advancing equity, access and opportunity for people with disabilities in our city and beyond. Council President, there are no further resolutions on the Consent Agenda.
The Chair recognizes Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion to adopt each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that each of the resolutions on the Resolution 12 Consent Agenda be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. And each of the resolutions on the Resolution Consent Agenda has been adopted. We will now consider today's Bill Consent Agenda. I will ask the Clerk to read the titles of all the bills on the Consent Agenda. After each title is read, any member may object to the inclusion of the bill on the Consent Agenda. Upon such an objection and without debate, the bill will be immediately removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on our regular Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars. The Clerk will now read the titles of the bills on the Consent Agenda.
Bill No. 19 260164, an ordinance amending Section 12-701 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Designation of Bicycle Lanes," to authorize bicycle lanes and the removal of travel lanes on portions of Ridge Avenue, under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 260165, an ordinance amending Section 14-545 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled /SEV, Seventh District Overlay District by adding provisions from the /AME, American Street Overlay District, and the /NCA, Neighborhood Commercial Area Overlay District, North Delaware Avenue, removing the /AME, American Street Overlay District from the Zoning Code, and making related changes, all under certain terms and conditions. 260211, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Erie Avenue, Front Street, Lippincott Street and 2nd Street. 260239, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Baltimore Avenue, Cobbs Creek Parkway, SEPTA Regional Railroad Right-of-Way and Cobbs Creek. 260300, an ordinance 11 amending Section 9-928 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Sidewalk Cafes," to authorize additional locations for sidewalk cafes, all under certain terms and conditions. 260378, an ordinance 18 establishing parking regulations in the vicinity of: Lawrence Street, between Tabor Road and Olney Avenue; Sparks Street between Front Street and Mascher Street. " 260383, an ordinance 6 authorizing various encroachments in the vicinity of 2955 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, under certain terms and conditions. 260384, an ordinance 11 establishing a parking regulation on Acorn Street between Hazelwood Lane and Ridge Avenue; Martin Street between Mitchell Street and Pechin Street; N. 66th Street between Haverford Avenue and Media Street; Rector Street between Manayunk Avenue and Terrace Street; Lawnton Street between Fountain Street and Gorgas Lane; Scotts Lane between Ridge Avenue to 3540 Scotts Lane (Trestle). 260390, an ordinance 24 amending Chapter 9-200 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Commercial Activities on Streets," to make certain changes to permissible locations for farmers' markets, all under certain terms and conditions. 260422, an ordinance 9 amending Section 14-524 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “/FDO, Fourth District Overlay District” by authorizing Basic Systems and Utilities in the SP-PO-A zoning district in an area bounded by Ridge Avenue, Calumet Street, the Schuylkill River, and the Wissahickon Creek all under certain terms and conditions. 260425, an ordinance 20 authorizing various encroachments in the vicinity of 3601-7 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140, under certain terms and conditions. 260426, an ordinance 3 authorizing the Director of Aviation, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to modify a certain easement and acquire additional easement interests in connection with a portion of the parcel or parcels of land commonly known as 8350 Executive Avenue, under certain terms and conditions. 260427, an ordinance 13 authorizing the Director of the Department of Aviation to acquire, on behalf of the City, fee simple title or a lesser interest by purchase, amicable negotiation, dedication, donation, condemnation, agreement in lieu of condemnation or otherwise, in and to all or portions of a certain parcel of land known as 8800 Tinicum Boulevard in Philadelphia County, under certain terms and conditions.
260464-A, an ordinance 3 authorizing the Procurement Department, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into an agreement with the Philadelphia Energy Authority to purchase electricity and certain attributes and benefits related to the generation of such electricity from a solar energy facility to be built and owned by Reactivate, LLC, located at Northeast Philadelphia Airport for use at and in connection with City facilities, all under certain terms and conditions. 260506, an ordinance 19 regulating the direction of the movement of traffic on the 6500 block of Pine Ridge Road between Cheltenham Avenue and Fariston Drive, and removing the “No Parking Anytime” restriction on the 6500 block of Pine Ridge Road, all under certain terms and conditions. 260510, an ordinance 5 authorizing the City Treasurer, on behalf of the City, to enter into a provider agreement with Citizens Bank National Association for provision of payroll banking services to the City, under certain terms and conditions. 260522, an ordinance 13 amending Title 12 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Traffic Code" to designate East Memorial Hall Drive and West Memorial Hall Drive in Fairmount Park as one way streets, under certain terms and conditions, and authorize and/or empower the Department of Streets for the City of Philadelphia to take any and all necessary actions to enforce this ordinance, pursuant to Chapter 2 12-600 of The Philadelphia Code. 260523, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Roberts Avenue, Wissahickon Avenue, Hunting Park and Fox Street. 260524, an ordinance 11 authorizing the revision of lines and grades on a portion of City Plan No. 120 by striking from the City Plan and vacating Cleveland Street from Girard Avenue northwardly to Stiles Street, and striking from the City Plan and vacating Stiles Street from 18th Street westwardly to 19th Street, under certain terms and conditions. 260528, an ordinance 22 authorizing the Philadelphia Authority for Industrial Development to convey fee simple title to all or a portion of property known as 5501 Tacony Street for less than fair market value, under certain terms and conditions. 260529, an ordinance 8 authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a lease agreement, including a lease amendment for a portion of the premises at 1341 North Delaware Avenue for general office and administrative use by the City, all under certain terms and conditions. 260531, an ordinance 18 authorizing the Commissioner of Public Property, on behalf of the City of Philadelphia, to enter into a sublease agreement with the Philadelphia Municipal Authority for use by the City of a portion of the premises located at 701 Market Street, all under certain terms and conditions. 260532, an ordinance 5 authorizing various encroachments in the vicinity of 1639 South 10th Street, under certain terms and conditions. 260534, an ordinance to amend the Philadelphia Zoning Maps by changing the zoning designations of certain areas of land located within an area bounded by Kensington Avenue, Clearfield Street, Tulip Street and Lehigh Avenue. 260535, an ordinance 18 authorizing various encroachments in the vicinity of 2101 South Third Street, under certain terms and conditions. 260536, an ordinance 23 amending Title 14 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Zoning and Planning,” to amend certain provisions of Chapter 14-500, entitled “Overlay Zoning Districts,” by creating the “/WCS, West Chestnut Street Overlay District,” all under certain terms and conditions. 260564, an ordinance 10 authorizing encroachments in the nature of a sidewalk cafe in the vicinity of 2351 South Front Street, under certain terms and conditions. Council President, there are no further bills on the Consent Agenda.
Thank you very much. These bills having been read on two different days, the question for each bill now is shall the bills pass finally. Clerk, please call the roll. And upon being called, each Councilmember shall vote aye on each of the bills, nay on each of the bills, will indicate those bills for which the member is voting aye and those bills for which the member is voting nay. Chief Clerk, please begin.
Councilmember Thomas was aye. Councilmember Jones was aye. Councilmember Landau.
Councilmember Young was aye. Councilmember Brooks was aye. Councilmember Harrity.
Aye on all bills. Is Member Young, is he here or --
Okay. The ayes are 17. The nays are 0. Majority of all members having voted in the affirmative for each of the bills on the Consent Agenda, the bills are passed. Chair recognizes Councilmember Brian O'Neill.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd ask to be excused from the rest of the Council session. I have to be at a very important meeting in my district.
Thank you very much, sir. Leave is granted. Would you like to be recorded as voting aye on all bills and resolutions, sir?
Thank you very much, Member O'Neill. We will now consider resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars. Would the Clerk please -- Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
We will now consider the resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar and bills on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars. Clerk, please read the title of Resolution No. 260270.
A resolution proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for the creation 6/11/26 - STATED - 2ND READING of Creative Philadelphia and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia.
Chair recognizes Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion regarding Resolution No. 260270 on behalf of Councilmember Isaiah Thomas.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of Councilmember Thomas, I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution 22 No. 260270 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying 6/11/26 - STATED - 2ND READING aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. The resolution is adopted. Would the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 13 260629.
A resolution establishing a vision for reproductive freedom, family, and the American promise in Philadelphia.
The Chair recognizes Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke, for a motion regarding Resolution No. 23 260629 on behalf of Minority Kendra Brooks. 6/11/26 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the Minority Leader, I do move for the adoption of that resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and properly seconded that Resolution 11 No. 260629 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. Would the Clerk please read the title of Resolution No. 6/11/26 - STATED - 2ND READING 260632.
A 4 resolution condemning the Trump 5 Administration and the United 6 States Department of Housing and 7 Urban Development for ending the 8 Restore-Rebuild Program, one of the 9 strongest tools available to public 10 housing authorities nationwide, for 11 expanding and preserving deeply 12 affordable housing. 13
Chair recognizes 15 Councilmember Nicolas O'Rourke for 16 a motion regarding Resolution No. 17 260632. 18
19 Thank you, Mr. President. 20 I move for the adoption 21 of the resolution. 22 (Duly seconded.) 23
It has been moved and 6/11/26 - STATED - 2ND READING properly seconded that Resolution 3 No. 260632 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. Would the Clerk please read the title of Bill No. 251020.
An ordinance amending Section 19-1604 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Charges Where Water Meter Has Become Defective,” by authorizing the reduction of customer water bills due to defective or inaccurate water meters, under 6/11/26 - STATED - 2ND READING certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Chief Clerk, please call the roll.
Councilmember Thomas was aye. Councilmember Jones was aye. 6/11/26 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilmember Landau.
Councilmember Young was aye. Councilmember Brooks was aye. Councilmember Harrity.
Councilmember O'Neill was aye. 6/11/26 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilmember Squilla.
Aye. The ayes are and 16 the nays are 0. Majority of all 17 members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Chief Clerk, please read the title of Bill No. 251021.
An ordinance amending Chapter 19-1600 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Water and Sewer Rents," by 6/11/26 - STATED - 2ND READING revising income eligibility standards for rate discounts and installment payment agreements, all under certain terms and conditions.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now shall the bill pass finally. Chief Clerk, please call the roll.
Councilmember Thomas was aye. Councilmember Jones was aye. Councilmember Landau.
Councilmember Young was aye. Councilmember Brooks was aye. Councilmember Harrity.
Aye. The ayes are 17 and the nays are 0. Majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Chief Clerk, please read the title of Bill No. 260199.
An 6/11/26 - STATED - 2ND READING ordinance adopting the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2027.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Chief Clerk, please call the roll.