Stated Meeting 1 10/5/2023 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING Room 400, City Hall Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, October 5, 2023 10:50 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL L. CLARKE COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILMAN MICHAEL DRISCOLL COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE RICHARDSON COUNCILMAN JIM HARRITY COUNCILMAN KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILMAN CURTIS JONES, JR. COUNCILWOMAN QUETCY LOZADA COUNCILMAN ANTHONY PHILLIPS COUNCILMAN MARK SQUILLA COUNCILWOMAN SHARON VAUGHN MICHAEL A. DECKER, CHIEF CLERK Stated Meeting 2 10/5/2023
Good morning, everyone. We're going to get started. I apologize for my tardiness. I had some business to take care of a little earlier. We have established our quorum, so we will get started. We're going to start with our invocation, and this morning the Chair recognizes the Reverend John Babowitch of Our Lady of Calvary Parish. He is here today as the guest of Councilman O'Neill. I would like to ask all members and guests to please rise. (Councilmembers, guests, and visitors rise.)
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Heavenly Father, we thank you for all that you do for us. Bless all of our City Councilmembers. Bless them and their families. Watch over them and keep them safe as they work always for the Stated Meeting 3 10/5/2023 and their constituents. They strive to do the best they can for anyone that is part of their life. Bless them and keep them safe. Bless our peace in our city. Watch over everybody today that have deliberations. Bless everyone in this Council Chamber. And let us pray. We stand before you, Holy Spirit, conscious of our sinfulness but aware that we gather in your name. Come to us. Remain with us. Enlighten our hearts. Give us light and strength to know your will, to make it and to live it in our lives. Guide us by your wisdom. Support us by your power, for you are God, sharing the glory of father and son. You desire justice for all. Enable us to uphold the rights of others. Do not allow us to be misled by ignorance or corrupted by fear or favor. Unite us to yourself and that the bond of love and keep us faithful to Stated Meeting 4 10/5/2023 As we gather in your name, may we temper justice with love so that our decision may be pleasing to you and earn the reward promised of your good and faithful servants. You live and reign, with the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. And may almighty God bless all in this Council Chamber, Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Amen. God bless you. (Amen.)
Thank you so much, Reverend. We really appreciate you being here today to give us some spiritual guidance. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)
Thank you very much. Thank you. And our next order of business Stated Meeting 5 10/5/2023 approval of the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 28, 2023, and the Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 28th, 2023 be approved. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the Journal of the meeting of Thursday, September 28, 2023 stand approved. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and our Journal is approved. And our next order of business Stated Meeting 6 10/5/2023 of absence, and the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the members, there are two requests for leaves of absence today, one from Member Thomas and the other from Member O'Neill.
The Chair thanks the gentleman. Leave shall be granted for both members. And the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla for a motion concerning certain legislative matters that may arise during the course of today's session of Council that were not listed on the Calendar circulated prior to our session today.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that any of the following matters, if considered today, may be added to the agenda for this session of Council and, as required by law, subsequently published on an amended agenda after the consideration of those Stated Meeting 7 10/5/2023 matters: resolutions authorizing hearings, amendments to bills on first reading, the reconsideration of a bill vetoed by or re-called from the Mayor, amendments to bills re-called from the Mayor, resolutions taking substantive action to be voted on in this session, a motion to withdraw a bill or resolution that is not on the Calendar, and a motion placing a bill or resolution on or returning a bill or resolution from the Suspension Calendar that is not listed on today's Calendar. The purpose of this motion is to provide the public with notice concerning possible actions by Council that arose too late to be included in the Calendar that was published prior to today's session. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded that the legislative matters stated by Councilman Squilla may Stated Meeting 8 10/5/2023 agenda for today, should those matters arise during the course of the Council session. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. And our next order of business is communications, and I request that the Clerk please read the messages from the Mayor and any other communications that he may have in his possession.
From the Mayor to the President and members of the Council of the City of Philadelphia, I am submitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body an ordinance authorizing the City Solicitor, on behalf of the City, to enter into a multi-year contract with a provider of codification, Stated Meeting 9 10/5/2023 editing, and marketing services to produce printed and electronic versions of The Philadelphia Code and related services and material, all under certain terms and conditions.
Thank you, Mr. Decker. And our next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions, and, Mr. Decker, please read the title of the bills and resolutions that are offered by our members today.
Councilman Jones offers two bills and three resolutions, an ordinance amending Chapter 12-3000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Use Of An Automated Red Light Enforcement System To Prevent Red Light Violations," by authorizing the installation of red light enforcement systems at the intersection of Belmont Avenue, Ford Road and Overbrook Avenue; and An ordinance amending Chapter 12-3000 of The Philadelphia Code, Stated Meeting 10 10/5/2023 entitled "Use Of An Automated Red Light Enforcement System To Prevent Red Light Violations," by authorizing the installation of red light enforcement systems at the intersection of Kelly Drive and Falls Bridge.
And a privileged resolution honoring Science Leadership Academy at Beeber 10th Grader, Zoe Smith, for winning the Individual Women's Public League Golf Championship.
And a privileged resolution honoring war-hero Waverly Bernard Wilson, Jr., for his courageous and selfless service during World War II and further calling on Overbrook High School to induct him into their Hall of Fame.
And a privileged resolution honoring and commemorating the 13th Annual Indigenous Peoples' Day in the City of Philadelphia.
Councilman Johnson offers one bill and five resolutions, entitled "An ordinance amending Chapter 12-3000 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'Use Of An Automated Red Light Enforcement System To Prevent Red Light Violations,' by authorizing the installation of red light enforcement systems at the intersection of 17th Street and Washington Avenue."
And on behalf of Council President Clarke, Councilman Johnson offers a privileged resolution authorizing City Council's Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities to hold public hearings to investigate the Stated Meeting 12 10/5/2023 impact SEPTA's Market Frankford Line Painting Project is having on surrounding communities and determine whether SEPTA has been responsive to community complaints during the course of this project; and to explore SEPTA's commitment to contracting minority owned businesses for its projects.
On his own behalf, Councilman Johnson offers a privileged resolution recognizing October 2023 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia and honoring those who have fought and continue to fight against breast cancer.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2609 through 27 Sears Street (including 1308 through 14 South 26th Street) located in Stated Meeting 13 10/5/2023 the 2nd Councilmanic District.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1324 South Bancroft Street; 1213 South Bonsall Street; 1202 and 1223 South Bucknell Street.
And a non-privileged resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 1811, 2114, 2123 Fernon Street, 1930 and 1932 Norwood Street, 1629, 1642, 1648 and 1652 Point Breeze Avenue.
Councilwoman Lozada offers four resolutions, a privileged resolution recognizing and honoring Doctor Daphne Owen, M.D., for her ability to bridge relationships for Stated Meeting 14 10/5/2023 the common good and her humanitarian efforts in bringing top-notch medical service to the people, all with a powerfully inspiring dream of doing better by our most vulnerable communities.
And a privileged resolution recognizing and honoring Joan N. Stern, one of Philadelphia's finest public finance attorneys, concentrating her practice in the areas of general government and education, transportation and utilities, tax and revenue anticipation financing, health care and housing finance, refinancing and working capital finance, project finance, and derivatives transactions.
And a privileged resolution recognizing and honoring Roberto Lugo for his contributions to the Stated Meeting 15 10/5/2023 Arts, and in celebration of his exceptional achievement in securing a prestigious Heinz Awards for Arts.
And a privileged resolution recognizing and honoring Doctor Steven Larson, M.D., for his humanitarian efforts in bringing top-notch medical service to underserved communities, bringing a dream of care and compassion into the world that moves forward with every life saved.
Councilwoman Brooks offers two resolutions. On behalf of Councilman Thomas, a privileged resolution honoring and congratulating the Champions of the Week Akeiff Staples and Brent Johnstone, of FathersRead365, for their service and dedication to our local communities by expanding literacy and access to quality books for young Stated Meeting 16 10/5/2023 people.
And on her own behalf, Councilwoman Brooks offers a privileged resolution commemorating National Coming Out Day on October 11th, 2023 in the City of Philadelphia.
Councilman Harrity offers two resolutions, a privileged resolution proclaiming September 16, 2023 as Masha Amini Day in the City of Philadelphia to Commemorate and Recognize the one-year anniversary of her death in custody after being detained by Iranian Morality Police.
And a privileged resolution -- and a non-privileged resolution authorizing a "Joint Task Force on City Flag Reform" to reexamine Stated Meeting 17 10/5/2023 and recommend a process to reform the flag of the City of Philadelphia in line with vexillological conventions and an aim to promote Civic Pride.
Councilman Squilla offers a privileged resolution designating the week of Sunday, October 8 through Saturday October 14, 2023 as "Italian American Heritage Week" in the City of Philadelphia and honoring Gaetano (Guy) Pigliacelli and Gerald "Jerry" Blavat (posthumously) as the Grand Marshalls of the 2023 Philadelphia Italian American Parade.
Councilwoman Bass offers a non-privileged resolution recognizing and honoring Philadelphia's Reverend Melvin Floyd, by renaming the 5200 block of Wayne Avenue, "Reverend Melvin Floyd Way." Stated Meeting 18 10/5/2023 2ND READING
There are no other bills or resolutions being offered today by the members, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our introduction of bills and resolutions. We have no reports from committee today, so our next order of business is the consideration of the Calendar. There being no bills on the First Reading Calendar, the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for the purpose of calling up bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today.
Thank you, Mr. President. The following resolutions and bills are being brought up from Second Reading to Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 230656 and 230661. All Stated Meeting 19 10/5/2023 other bills and resolutions are being held.
Thank you, Councilman. Thank you. Our next order of business will be our public comment session. So before considering these bills and resolutions, your public comment must concern matters on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today. All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you haven't done so, you may do so now at the table outside of the Council Chambers with the Sergeant-of-Arms. When your name is called, you will be called in the order in which you signed up, and when your name is called, you will go to the podium in the middle of the Council Chambers. There's a device on the podium. When the light on the device turns green, it will be your time to speak. When it turns yellow, you will have 30 seconds to conclude your Stated Meeting 20 10/5/2023 remarks, and when it turns red, we'd ask that you please adhere to our guidelines and conclude your remarks. Because of the volume today, you will be given three minutes to testify on today's Calendar. Again, I want to thank you very much for your interest in participating in your government in action today. Thank you very much. And with that, Mr. Decker, would you call the first name on the list.
The first speaker today, Mr. President, is Tyrell Brown. (No response.)
Tyrell Brown, commenting on 230692, a resolution introduced by Councilwoman Brooks today. (Witnesses approached podium.)
Good morning. I am Tyrell Brown. I'm the Executive Director Stated Meeting 21 10/5/2023 of Galaei, they/them pronouns. I'm standing here with my Aunt Tammy. We are an organization that serves the trans and non-binary community and prioritizes services for them, life-saving services for our community 365 days a year. At Galaei, in addition to producing National Coming Out Day and pride, we do linkage to care, resources that are crucial life-saving services for two-spirit community, for Black and brown people as we serve the people that are pushed furthest to the margins in our community. We're located up in Kensington in Philadelphia. This weekend we have National Coming Out Day. We are celebrating that with a parade, the first ever in America. We also have a resource festival there on Sunday. We decided to coin our event OURfest, which stands for Our Uniting Resilience Festival, for a few reasons. One, because we know all too often that our stories aren't told. They aren't Stated Meeting 22 10/5/2023 seen and celebrated, but also OUR is an acronym. It stands for Our Uniting Resilience. We are a community that despite our vibrancy and joy that you all often see is surviving disproportionate homelessness, discrimination, disproportionate economic oppression, legislative attacks on our liberties, disproportionate violence up to and including murder, and all for us daring to be out and proud and to be ourselves. So the work of our community and of our allies is not done. It did not start with recognizing gay marriage, and it certainly did not end with that. It didn't start with TV shows and visibility alone, and it certainly did not end with that either. The support and affirmation of this legislative body is crucial in our stand for justice, liberation, and the freedom of LGBTQ people in the City of Philadelphia and across the nation. Stated Meeting 23 10/5/2023 It is said that most of us grow up in homes where we are shamed out of our identities, that when we spend our adult lives trying to recapture the liberty that was taken from us when we were children. This citation is so deeply important to us because it recognizes our resilience as LGBTQ people and says loudly that this governing body sees and supports our journeys in this world, starting with the revolutionary act that we as queer, trans, lesbian, gay, and/or bisexual people, the power that we take when we come out and recognizes that story, and it celebrates it. I humbly ask for people today in this body, people listening to look upon others and see the humanity first and others first and foremost and to also know and understand that we are all resilient. And, finally, that National Coming Out Day is more than just a festival that is deeply rooted in the Stated Meeting 24 10/5/2023 celebration of queer and trans joy, survival and all of that in the face of oppression, discrimination, and austerity that is pushing our communities further to the margin.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.)
Hi. Good morning, Councilmembers. My name is El Ali, first name E-L, last name A-L-I. I'm Cherokee Freedmen, Chiricahua Apache, and Black American, American Indian activist in the City for about -- I'm 48, so probably Stated Meeting 25 10/5/2023 almost 20 years now. So I would just like to comment briefly on the resolution introduced by Councilman Jones supported by members of Council celebrating the 13th Annual Philly Indigenous Peoples' Day. I think this is great and honorable for us to do. We love to create more substances, create more real changes besides just a resolution. Just for an example, when any indigenous person, American Indian or indigenous migrant gets arrested by the police, there's only two categories on the police reports and citations, only white and Black. So we are put into categories either to be able to be under white or Black. It doesn't really reflective, and you really can't count the data when you don't have the ability to be able to identify who you are, and then it becomes more of a hassle to be able to go through the courts to make those changes to let them know that you're not white or Black Stated Meeting 26 10/5/2023 and that you're American Indian or indigenous. So those type of changes, changes in housing to be able to help indigenous migrants from Central and South America who come here who are unfortunately labeled as Hispanic and Latino, but they don't identify as that. So just looking to create more changes in our city with public policy and also with the departments in the City to really be able to collect the data that as we indigenous people need to be able to create the change for our city and to create a healing process for us, because I feel also too that sometimes we're relegated to just the "other," so there's not a lot of concern for us. So I'm hoping too with this resolution and many others to create better public policy for our city for American Indians and indigenous migrants in the City. Thank you.
Stated Meeting 27 10/5/2023 Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.)
The next speaker is Vaughnda Hilton. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, esteemed members of Council. My name is Vaughnda Hilton. I am the Director and founder of Native Nations Dance Theatre, and we are very happy that you have taken this time out of your day to recognize that we have participated and we have presented Indigenous Day programs in the City of Philadelphia for 13 years now. So we would like to thank you all very much for including us and for having us. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. Stated Meeting 28 10/5/2023 (Applause.)
Hold on one second. Hold on one second. Hold on one second. Is that mic functioning? Just give her the other mic. Good morning.
Good morning. I honor the place in which the entire universe dwells. I honor the place in you that is love, light, peace, and truth. When you're in that place in you and I am in that place in me, then we Stated Meeting 29 10/5/2023 are one. I ask that the creator open our minds to understand each other better, to open our eyes so that we can see things more clearly, to open our ears so that we understand the messages that are being sent to us, and ask you to open our hands to serve the creator and our communities more. I ask that you keep our feet in the paths that are chosen for us, and I ask you to open our hearts to love each other more. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you so much for your testimony. (Applause.)
The next speakers are Akeiff Staples and Brent Johnstone. (Witness approached podium.)
My name is Tammy "Walking Stick" Riley. Stated Meeting 30 10/5/2023
Good morning. I want to say thank you to you, President, to Councilman Curtis, Councilman Johnson, Councilman Squilla. I want to thank you for the support that you have given the indigenous community in Philadelphia. My family in the 1970s was a part of an organization called the United American Indians of the Delaware Valley, and then we were part of -- and, Councilwoman Gauthier, I want to thank you too. I don't know where she went. But I want to just thank you all, everyone in this room, for still acknowledging that we are here, because it's so often that people find us invisible. I want to thank El for the fight. El continues to fight. We fight along with him. And I don't mean fight in a negative way. I mean the fight to let people know that we are still here. Stated Meeting 31 10/5/2023 So I encourage everyone to help our community, to support our community. We are the original people. The land that you stand on now is Lenapehoking. Thank you.
Akeiff Staples and Brent Johnstone. (Witnesses approached podium.)
We don't have a lot of time, but what we're about to speak about is very passionate to me, and it's not often that I hear it spoken about in public and, that is, early Stated Meeting 32 10/5/2023 literacy. I'm 46 years old and I'm a struggling reader. I've been a struggling reader my whole life. I live with dyslexia. And one of the reasons why I personally jumped in on this mission with FathersRead365 to address early literacy, because I didn't find out why I couldn't read until I was failing out of college, drinking a pint of liquor to go to class every morning, trying to deal with something that could have easily been addressed. And all throughout life, I got report cards and they all would say, Brent is struggling with reading, but never once did any of my teachers, any administrators, did anyone ever come to me and say, Brent, we understand what you're going through and this is how we can help. Never got that help. And on my dad's dying death bed -- Curtis knows my dad very well -he said, son, make me a promise, and it's Stated Meeting 33 10/5/2023 the last thing my dad ever said to me. He said, don't you ever stop talking about dyslexia and going out there and helping people, because after all these years, I finally know what I lived with. This man was 72 years old dying and just realizing why he couldn't read, and it was something that could have been addressed. He was a lieutenant at Temple Police. He was a very successful person, and we all are and a lot of people are who struggle with reading. I say all of that to say currently I keep an eye out, and since May, we have networked over 100 daycare centers in Philadelphia in the READY First network. The READY First network stands for Re-Empowers All Developing Youth, and we want all our kids to go into first grade on level. And, guys, we've partnered with a national screening service who can screen any child at three years old for a reading difference. We've partnered with Stated Meeting 34 10/5/2023 Lexia LETRS, who can teach any educator how to properly teach reading to kids at three and five years old where their brain is most active. We have partnered with a tutoring program who teaches Wilsons, who allow -- excuse me; who can in two years, they took my son, who was in third grade -- because in third grade, guys, 33 percent of our third graders read on level. That means 67 of them didn't. My son was part of that 67. I had to go to -- I had to sue his schools. I had to go to litigation to get my son the proper help that he needed, and he sits here today from going to be a kindergarten reader in third grade to being one of the top fifth grade readers in his school. Stand up, Mason. (Applause.)
Guys, we have networked. We did all the work that we Stated Meeting 35 10/5/2023 possibly could do between two people to get you all the top people in this nation who want to come to Philadelphia, because no one is working in preschools doing the work that we're doing in this nation. If we as a city come together behind what we've created, we will change the world. Thank you.
The next speaker is Brujo de la Mancha. (Witness approached podium.)
Welcome. Thank you. Thanks to the father, nature, son, and thank you everybody to be here in person. Stated Meeting 36 10/5/2023 Yeah. So many of you say buenos tardes, buenos noches. I come from Mexico, and we have a lot of native population here in Philadelphia for the last 20 years, maybe 25, 30, 40 for some people, and this 13th Annual Philadelphia Indigenous Day is very important for the new generations of the new Americans born here from this migration that has happened from south of the border. So even you're from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Costa Rico, Peru, all that places, people should have the right opportunity to celebrate and come together and meet our brothers and cousins from the whole continent in this City of Philadelphia. So please allow us to have these celebrations to raise our flag, and also give us a chance to keep our language. We speak Spanish, si, but it's not our language. Will you speak English? Yes, but for most of us it's not our language too. So this good identity, this Stated Meeting 37 10/5/2023 good cultural awareness will help in the future to avoid the classic gangs problems or alcohol problem or drug problem, because people will have something to focus, something to come, something to pray, something to feel connected, not be wandering on the streets and so on. So it's very important. Please support all for every other coming from the new generations. Please don't take this day away. Mark it. Make it national. Make it our world. Philadelphia is going to keep native traditions alive from anywhere else. We'll bring tourists, we'll bring economy. Thanks to the City of Philadelphia for supporting for maybe 15 years different power, different celebrations that we're having, gathering and everything. To all the Councilpeople, to all the foundations in Philadelphia, to everything, we have to Stated Meeting 38 10/5/2023 come together and make our -- respect the first nations of this continent living in Philadelphia. I don't know exactly how many indigenous people from Mexico you have here because the problem, no immigration. And we know that maybe these people who have a different ID, different way to be treated, because they're part of this continent. There are mistakes that are made. They have different nationalities than themselves, but some people, they are not. You have a lot of indigenous people that are trapped, and this immigration problem can change, thanks to the City to be a centralized city and allow anybody from south of the border to be here. Thank you so much. Once again, my name is Brujo de la Mancha. My native name is Tletxayacoatl, must lay at the snake with the face on fire. And you all be happy. You all keep going and working together for this Stated Meeting 39 10/5/2023 great and beautiful city, the Brotherly Love of Philadelphia. Thank you with my heart.
The next speaker is Lynn Landes, commenting on 210913. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning. I'm Lynn Landes, founder of wildfoodies.org. I'm speaking in support of Resolution 210913, which is a resolution to sue the City Administration for failure to enforce the Healthy Outdoor Public Spaces Act, which will end the use of toxic pesticides on public lands. Why is this so important? Because we need to be able to use our public lands to grow both wild plants and Stated Meeting 40 10/5/2023 cultivated crops for food, fiber, medicine, and more, particularly in the case of natural or manmade emergencies. For instance, Washington Square is full of plantain, or plantago, a common weed, but plantain is also nature's medicine cabinet, because it can be used to heal the body in so many ways. It grows there in Washington Square because toxic chemicals are not used, but they are used in other public lands in Philadelphia. Do residents know that they are exposing themselves, their children, and their pets to toxic chemicals? I doubt it. The point is that we need safe and healthy soil. And speaking of safety, we also need our streets to be safe. As the founder of safestreetsphilly.org, I believe City Councilmembers are rightly concerned about the lawlessness gripping our city. However, our District Attorney, who gave the green light to Stated Meeting 41 10/5/2023 this rampant crime, continues unchecked. Councilmembers have suggested, among other things, more mentoring of the young is what's needed, and that is certainly true, but those who are looting our stores on a daily basis are often not young at all. They are simply taking advantage of the situation. As a result, retail and food deserts are reoccurring, the very problem that underserved communities complained about for decades. It's time to learn from history and address the elephants in the room, a City Administration and District Attorney and their non-enforcement of local and state laws, because maintaining a safe and healthy city is our government's most important job. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.) Stated Meeting 42 10/5/2023
The next speaker is Wick Savage, commenting on 230661. (Witness approached podium.)
Good morning, Council. Good morning, Councilmembers. I'm here this morning with a heavy, heavy heart. I'm here to express that we have to get all hands on deck and address this unnecessary, bad behavior. My kids, my grand-kids, my great grand-kids do not conduct bad behavior. Why? Because they know their grandfather will not allow it. My grandson is seven years old, had to go through drama this Sunday because his place that he plays football had to deal with gunfire. There's over 200 kids that play at that field, 11th and Cecil B. Moore. It brings warmth to my heart to see that many kids come together, but a few jack rabbits want to act out. And just like Councilman Stated Meeting 43 10/5/2023 Squilla was able to track down that bad behavior in Center City, we should be able to track down this bad behavior in our various communities, not next week, not next month, not when the new Administration gets in. Right now. I am a concerned citizen that has relatives own property in probably 50 percent of this Council body. My voice will be heard and my wallet will be used. Let's get all hands on deck. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. We appreciate it.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. Stated Meeting 44 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING That concludes our public comment session for today. We will now move to our Calendar. We will consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar today. Mr. Decker, I would ask you to please read the title of Resolution No. 230656.
A resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 4817 Old York Road located in the 8th Councilmanic District.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.) Stated Meeting 45 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 230661.
A resolution urging Governor Josh Shapiro to establish an Office of Gun Violence Prevention in Pennsylvania.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson for a motion.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Stated Meeting 46 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Those opposed? (No response.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?
A resolution honoring Science Leadership Academy at Beeber 10th Grader, Zoe Smith, for winning the Individual Women's Public League Golf Championship, introduced today by Councilman Jones.
On behalf of an avid golfer from West Philly, I move for the swift adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and swiftly adopted. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.) Stated Meeting 47 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted.
And a resolution honoring war-hero Waverly Bernard Woodson, Jr., for his courageous and selfless service during World War II and further calling on Overbrook High School to induct him into their Hall of Fame, introduced today by Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. Just briefly, how many scores, how many dozens, how many thousands of unnamed heroes that would have been memorialized in our hallways of schools, in our hallways in museums but for the fact that they were African American, and that at that point in time, it was so Stated Meeting 48 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING uncommon and so unaccepted for their acts of heroism to be acknowledged by their peers, by our nation, and by people in general. This is one case, and we want to kind of look for those unsung heroes. I remember Kathy Gilmore Richardson talking about her uncle, I believe it was, who suffered that fate, and there are tens of thousands of people like that. I remember at a eulogy for my great-grandfather in South Philly and as kids we always used to go down to his basement, and he had a saber. And reckless as we were, we would be playing with his saber trying to chop each other up. So in my mind, I always thought he was the cook for the calvary. I thought he was the guy who went and made chamber, made kind of moves for the higher-ups and generals. Come to find out he was a Rough Rider and he went up Stated Meeting 49 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING that hill with Teddy Roosevelt, and he was no joke. How many dozens, thousands in each conflict before, you know, it kind of was leveled out are a part of history but not a part of our history? So with that, I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution honoring and commemorating the 13th Annual Indigenous Peoples' Day in the Stated Meeting 50 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING City of Philadelphia, introduced today by Councilman Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. There's not many parts of the City, from Passyunk to Manatawna, to different places around the City that don't have a touch, Belmont Plateau, of what indigenous history means to us. Manayunk actually means in Native American language a good place to drink. Think about it. They knew what they were talking about. And so we want to look at this and make sure we understand and respect the fact that these indigenous people were here first. These indigenous people have a robust history. And for that, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's Stated Meeting 51 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. (Applause.)
And a resolution authorizing City Council's Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities to hold public hearings to investigate the impact SEPTA's Market Frankford Line Painting Project is having on surrounding communities and determine whether SEPTA has been responsive to community complaints during the course of this project; and explore SEPTA's commitment to contracting minority owned businesses Stated Meeting 52 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING for its projects, introduced today by Councilman Johnson on behalf of Council President Clarke.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution recognizing October 2023 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Philadelphia and honoring those who have Stated Meeting 53 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING fought and continue to fight against breast cancer, introduced today by Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution recognizing and honoring Doctor Daphne Owen, M.D., for her ability to bridge Stated Meeting 54 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING relationships for the common good and her humanitarian efforts in bringing top-notch medical service to the people, all with a powerfully inspiring dream of doing better by our most vulnerable communities, introduced today by Councilwoman Lozada.
I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
I'm sorry. Is that the Irizarry resolution? Stated Meeting 55 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING I didn't hear well.
Is that the Irizarry resolution? I didn't hear. Yes?
I wanted to actually put that bill on hold. Is that possible?
I'm sorry. I didn't hear what he had said. So I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly Stated Meeting 56 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution recognizing and honoring Joan N. Stern, one of Philadelphia's finest public finance attorneys, concentrating her practice in the areas of general government and education, transportation and utilities, tax and revenue anticipation financing, health care and housing finance, refinancing and working capital finance, project finance, and derivatives transactions, introduced today by Councilwoman Lozada.
The Chair again recognizes Councilwoman Stated Meeting 57 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Lozada.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution recognizing and honoring Roberto Lugo for his contributions to the Arts, and in celebration of his exceptional achievement in securing a prestigious Heinz Awards for Arts, introduced today by Councilwoman Lozada.
The Stated Meeting 58 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Chair recognizes Councilwoman Lozada.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution recognizing and honoring Doctor Steven Larson, M.D., for his humanitarian efforts in bringing top-notch medical service to underserved communities, bringing a dream of care and compassion into the world that moves forward with every life saved, introduced today by Stated Meeting 59 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Councilwoman Lozada.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution honoring and congratulating the Champions of the Week Akeiff Staples and Brent Johnstone, of FathersRead365, for their service and dedication to our local communities by expanding literacy and Stated Meeting 60 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING access to quality books for young people, introduced today by Councilwoman Brooks on behalf of Councilman Thomas.
Thank you, Council President. I just have a few remarks. I'm going to start with my own first. I just wanted to honor these two men that I met way before even thinking about being a City Councilperson for their work and commitment around literacy and educating our young people. Akeiff and I know each other from a kindergarten program at his friend's school, and Brent and I met shortly after, I think it was, another men's group led by Eric Marsh is how we connected. So I want to just thank and honor them for the work that they've been doing and thank you for the commitment to our community. Stated Meeting 61 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING And Councilmember Thomas left me some remarks here as well that I need to follow up on. So he says, the former Temple University basketball players with two decades of experiencing -- for experience serving their community as social workers and youth advocates founded a youth literacy non-profit, FathersRead365, to boost literacy in young children in response to an overwhelming need to increase reading skills for children age 0 to 6 in Philadelphia neighborhoods. Black male educators make up only two percent of educators, so they play a crucial role in expanding representation in our school systems. In addition, they connect young adults to read to kids and provide them with role models, and today the pair have donated 170,000 books to Philadelphia's youth. So these men have done an amazing job and I just want to congratulate them. Stated Meeting 62 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING (Applause.)
And with that, I move for the adoption. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Yeah, Council President. I too want to take a moment to acknowledge these two young men for their advocacy, particularly around reading and literacy. And I had a chance to learn about the program at the Stated Meeting 63 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Father's Day Rally Committee banquet and the brother gave a presentation about the work that he was doing. It was my first time hearing about the program, and again it reminds me about how we have to take a comprehensive approach when it comes to addressing the issue of youth gun violence here in the City of Philadelphia. There has been studies that shows that prisons are built based upon the third grade reading levels of our young people, right? And so when you talk about getting young people in the path to success, it starts with them learning how to read, learning how to write. When we talk about classroom behavior, some of the outbursts that you see from young people may be based upon them not knowing how to read, and so they find other ways, right, to express themselves in the classroom so they don't Stated Meeting 64 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING feel embarrassed. And so I just want to thank the two of you for your hard work and your dedication. Continue to keep up the work. I heard you loud and clear saying the City of Philadelphia should be supporting our efforts with resources to make sure we're able to expand, and so hopefully -- you have that relationship with Councilman Thomas, so we always support his efforts, and hopefully you can continue expanding the program that you're doing, but thank you very much for your service.
And a resolution commemorating National Coming Out Day on October 11th, 2023 in the City of Philadelphia, introduced today by Councilwoman Brooks. Stated Meeting 65 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Council President. Today I introduced a resolution in honor of every Philadelphian who exists outside the strict binary of gender and sexuality that our society imposes, in honor of all of our friends and loved ones who have already come out as well as those who have not, in honor of the people who have risked violence and discrimination in order to come out, as well as those who have come out in the midst of joy and celebrating. National Coming Out Month is an opportunity for us all to strengthen our community and support each other in sharing the truth of our experiences and our identities. It is not a day to pressure anyone to come out or to shame those who have not yet come out. It's a day to celebrate the beauty of being true to yourself and having the courage to Stated Meeting 66 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING share your experience and supporting others who may choose to come out to you. It is also a day to acknowledge the difficulties many face in coming out and to recognize that many people are still not able to safely come out. And as of August, there are more than 580 anti-queer bills that have been introduced at state legislatures. Of these 580, over 80 have been signed into law in this year alone. This more than doubles last year's number, which is already the worst in years on record. By celebrating National Coming Out Day, the City of Philadelphia stands proudly with our queer community against legislative attacks, hate, and violence, and we commend the strength and courage and resilience of our queer community and affirm their right to justice and safety in our city and throughout our country. From October 6th through 8th, Philadelphia celebrates National Coming Out Day with our fest, the National Stated Meeting 67 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Coming Out Parade and Festival Resource Fair and the first National Coming Out Parade in the United States. And I want to thank Philly Pride 365, Galaei, Tyrell Brown, all those that will make our fest a joyous, supportive, and powerful event that I know it will be. Thank you so much. (Applause.)
Thank you so much, Council President, and I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The Stated Meeting 68 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you. Thank you, Council President. I must depart Council for important Council business, but prior to that departure, I wanted to recognize and welcome my sisters of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Incorporated to the City of Philadelphia for our biannual conference, which is being held at the Sheraton October 4th through October 8th. Councilmember Bass and I had the opportunity to represent the City at the opening ceremony last evening, and I wanted to give them a hearty welcome to Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Effectiveness. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Councilwoman. The record Stated Meeting 69 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING shall reflect your votes. The Chair recognizes Councilman Jones.
Before Kathy Gilmore Richardson leaves or Cindy Bass leaves, I want to echo their recognition of the coalition and encourage the brothers to keep up with them. If you've ever had the opportunity to attend their workshops, they are far in advance on sophisticated items that impact women of color, and I stand in awe of some of their organizational skills, some of their ability to enact policy in a positive way, and welcome them to the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Effectiveness and welcome them for their national conference.
And a resolution proclaiming September 16, 2023 as Masha Amini Day in the City of Philadelphia to Stated Meeting 70 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Commemorate and Recognize the one-year anniversary of her death in custody after being detained by Iranian Morality Police, introduced today by Councilman Harrity.
Council President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
And a resolution designating the week of Sunday, October 8 Stated Meeting 71 10/5/2023 10/5/23 - STATED - 2ND READING through Saturday, October 14, 2023 as "Italian American Heritage Week" in the City of Philadelphia and honoring Gaetano (Guy) Pigliacelli and Gerald "Jerry" Blavat (posthumously) as the Grand Marshalls of the 2023 Philadelphia Italian American Parade, introduced today by Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. I also want to acknowledge the parade is Sunday starting off at Broad and Snyder at 12 o'clock. It will be on TV. Channel 6 will be covering it from 12:30 to 2:00, and then there will be an Italian festival right at Marconi Plaza where the parade ends up until 6:00 p.m. So we welcome everybody to come out, enjoy the festivities and celebration and have a great day. I move for the adoption of the resolution. Stated Meeting 72 10/5/2023 (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted.
There are no other resolutions on the Final Passage Calendar, Mr. President.
Thank you very much, Mr. Decker. That concludes our Calendar for today. At this point, are there any speeches on behalf of the minority? (No response.)
Speeches on behalf of the majority? Stated Meeting 73 10/5/2023 Jones.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to take a brief moment to thank my colleagues, those who came out to the Crime Summit at St. Joe's University last Saturday. For those who did not come but yet their work spoke for them, thank you again. For those who submitted positive recommendations in the chat, thank you for those recommendations. But it is a work in progress. It is historic in nature. I've never seen over 150 advocates, from boots on the ground to members of the Chamber of Commerce, credible messengers, to people from behind the walls, juveniles from JJC, talking to each other in a proactive verb, meaning here's my suggestion, here's what we can do. You took us on a number of field trips to other municipalities, and the one thing that we drew from Chester Stated Meeting 74 10/5/2023 the individuals that are responsible, the stakeholders, could sit in a room, breathe the same air, point at a solution as opposed to pointing at each other, and that was the spirit of the conference. Next steps, St. Joe's University will be putting together what is called a white paper, and it will be formatted to identify the problem, the solution, and the next steps, whether it's budgetary, legislative, or policy. That will be presented to the 100th Mayor. It will be presented first to members of this body for your edit. So everything from the Kensington Marshall Plan to conflict resolution in schools, to Gun Violence Task Force that we've created, all will be fused into a document that will be presented to the Mayor. And thank you for that chief safety officer Charter change, because they will have this as a rule and guide to move this city forward. Stated Meeting 75 10/5/2023 weekend two weeks ago, what happened with a bike rider that I know -- I thought it was Squilla, I swear. I thought you were going to run him down yourself -- jumping on a car sends a -- it was on national news. And so when people start to view Philadelphia as a place they might want to visit, might want to work, might want to send their kid to go to school, there is a caution that is doing this city a disservice. Now, I'm of the opinion, like my colleagues, I want the right hand of fellowship and want to help young people that want to do right, but I got the left hand of punishment that if you act like you want to go to jail, we're going to help you along your merry way. So we have got to have difficult conversations, Quetcy, difficult conversations about things that might seem on the surface a bit insensitive, but if we don't look Stated Meeting 76 10/5/2023 City mirror, King of Prussia is going to eat our lunch. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. A very impressive event, great turnout. The Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla.
Thank you, Mr. President. We heard a lot of things happening this week, but one of the other things that we didn't mention is through October 2nd through the 6th, we're proud to recognize the National Digital Inclusion Week. It's a great time to raise awareness of the solutions available to help bridge the digital divide and bring high speed internet to homes in Philadelphia. As COVID came through, it made it abundantly clear how these vital goals for our children's future are needed. Stated Meeting 77 10/5/2023 instrumental in keeping kids in school by providing access to classrooms when they suddenly went virtual. This program stood up quickly, thanks to our partners in the Office of Innovation and Technology and the Administration, the School District and our colleagues right here in City Council. The results were astounding. PHLConnectED enabled more than 23,000 free internet connections for families over three years. That's 23,000 free internet connections for people who didn't have it. But we know that's not enough. The worst of the pandemic is hopefully behind us, but PHLConnectED is now focusing on getting the word out about the Affordable Connectivity Program, or ACP, a federal program. Through ACP, Philadelphians who are eligible can receive $30 monthly credits to pay for broadband internet. When combined with Stated Meeting 78 10/5/2023 options, monthly internet subscriptions may be almost at no cost to some families. OIT is supporting the ACP program by bringing general awareness to the benefits of every Philadelphia household, with or without school-age children. Philadelphia households can visit GEP -- GETACP. They can also dial 211 to schedule an ACP appointment with Digital Navigator or visit the Free Library location and ask for information about the Affordable Connectivity Program. We understand that even though there's a lot of challenges out there, we can work with our partners to make this a reality for everybody here in the City. Our internet service provider partners including Comcast, some of the partners we have in Philadelphia Digital Navigator include Beyond Literacy, Drexel, Excite Center, Esperanza, SEAMAAC and others. Stated Meeting 79 10/5/2023 working together with the children and families to adult education in the Free Library. Philadelphia provides digital skill classes around the City, the answer to the call to get Philadelphia connected. And while the work continues, I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for this incredible effort and thank you and looking forward to being able to provide internet access to all Philadelphians throughout the City of Philadelphia. And one last thing, PHL Council briefing for Philly Cam is right after Council. There will be lunch provided for staffers and colleagues who want to attend right in the Caucus Room following Council. Thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gauthier. Stated Meeting 80 10/5/2023
Thank you, Council President. I wanted to take a moment to commend Majority Leader Jones on his Crime Summit event this past weekend. It was a great turnout with all of the people in the room, from City leaders to community leaders to young people that we would need to make a dent on these issues. The conversations were meaningful and solution oriented, and I look forward to seeing the blueprint and I look forward to being a part of the implementation. And job well done, and thank you for your leadership. I also wanted to ask that we take a moment of silence for Josh Kruger, who was tragically and brutally murdered a few days ago. I didn't know Josh very well, but we were friendly. He was such a great person. He was someone who was supportive of me and my work in Council. He was someone who was a public servant here at the City of Philadelphia for many Stated Meeting 81 10/5/2023 and, as a journalist and a thought leader, was also a voice for some of the most vulnerable people in the City, including those experiencing homelessness, the LGBTQ community, and people dealing with substance use addiction. And it's just such a loss for our city and a loss for his family as well. He also lost a brother not too long ago. And so it's just a horrible thing to happen to his family, and I just wanted to know if we could take a moment of silence to recognize such a great person who was taken away from us.
Can we please have a moment of silence. (Moment of silence.)
Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Harrity.
Thank you, Council President. Stated Meeting 82 10/5/2023 you, colleagues, for voting on my resolution to remember the murder of 22-year-old Masha Amini on September 16th, 2022. I originally wanted to do it on the anniversary a couple weeks ago, but we didn't have the text written up. Iran by the government officials sparked outrage around the world. Masha Amini was killed in violation of her human rights. Her death has triggered a new wave of demands for human rights and dignity for women around the world. People, and especially women, should not have to face death for mere violations of morality, and it is our hope that by remembering Masha that we do not let other people fall prey to government-sanctioned violence. Coming from the City of Philadelphia, the birthplace of democracy, the birthplace of freedom, I believe that we have to stand up for Stated Meeting 83 10/5/2023 -- for human rights violations, no matter where they occur. And I hope just by remembering this poor young lady, who we will never know the great things that she was bound to do because of something senseless, that we just keep her in our prayers and her family in our prayers and that we do not forget, because if you forget, it will happen again. So thank you.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Phillips.
Thank you, Council President. I want to also echo thanks to Councilmember Curtis Jones for organizing the Crime Summit. Unfortunately I couldn't be there because I was hosting several events in our district, but I applaud the efforts, and we look forward to helping to create even more solutions Stated Meeting 84 10/5/2023 simply just wanted to note that John White, Jr., who is a, I want to say, a person who -- a benefactor of the Black political forum that was founded by his father, John White, Sr., and where men like him and David Richardson, the list goes on, really came into public office with the mindset of finding a way to get through bureaucracy and make changes in the City of Philadelphia. His street renaming is still happening this Saturday. We're going to do it rain or shine. If there is a change in location based off of heavy rain, we'll let you know. Follow me on social media @phillipsdist9, phillipsdist9, and you'll get an announcement or you can e-mail at Anthony.Phillips@phila.gov. I just want to let you know that we're having it at 11:30 in the morning, 1400 block of Vernon Road. All of Philadelphia is invited. It's going Stated Meeting 85 10/5/2023 event, and we want to make sure that John knows that he's loved and cared about and give him the flowers while he's here. So looking forward to seeing all the colleagues this Saturday, October 7th.
Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Lozada.
Thank you, Council President. Every year there are men, women, and children who are trafficked. And so we are holding a committee hearing on Children and Youth October the 10th at Enon Baptist Tabernacle Church on 2800 West Cheltenham Avenue. I'd like to invite everyone to participate. Part of what we heard or part what I heard when I participated in Councilman Jones' Crime Safety Summit was that children oftentimes communicate with each other through social media and they Stated Meeting 86 10/5/2023 are really talking to. And that is who these traffickers often prey and how they prey on children in marginalized or vulnerable communities. So I ask you all to participate, be a part of the conversation and help us come to solutions around how we educate our kids about the dangers of human trafficking. Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Driscoll.
Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to highlight that the Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, October 11th at 1 o'clock in a remote manner using Microsoft Teams. The remote hearing is regarding examining the impacts of and Stated Meeting 87 10/5/2023 extension of the existing Broad Street Subway line into the underserved Northeast along the Roosevelt Boulevard. So that hearing will be Wednesday, October 11th at 1:00 p.m. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. It will be a very interesting discussion. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. I want to also echo the sentiments of my colleague Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier acknowledging the life of Josh Kruger, who was an award-winning journalist, a strong advocate for those who are homeless, as well as a strong advocate in the LGBTQ community, but also a member of the Point Breeze community. And so we were out and about yesterday on his block talking to Stated Meeting 88 10/5/2023 of trauma, because anyone that live on the block, you wake up in the morning, find out somebody is murdered, there's levels of trauma that the neighbors are feeling in the neighborhood. So I wanted to take a moment to echo the sentiments regarding his life and legacy. And also throughout this weekend just doing my due diligence and doing work and talking to different business leaders around the state of our city and we talked about how in order for us to recruit businesses to come into our city to expand our tax base, we need a city that's cleaner, safer, and competent in terms of how government operates. And then the discussion talked about how nationally we are going viral for all the wrong reasons, right, getting phone calls from people from other parts of the country reaching out to us making sure we're safe when they see people looting Stated Meeting 89 10/5/2023 Center City, but also this recent incident that took place this weekend where a bunch of ATV riders surround a young lady. One young man jumps on back of her car, breaking her back window out. She got babies in the car. He drops a gun, then points the gun at her face, which is totally unacceptable. And so I thank my colleague Councilman Curtis Jones for hosting the Crime Summit to begin looking at that issue with comprehensive solutions as we go into a new administration addressing the issue. And on the issue of ATVs and illegal dirt bikes, I'm going to be organizing an intergovernmental task force to begin looking at are we looking at all the ways that we can address this issue. This isn't the first time we had to address illegal dirt bikes here in the City of Philadelphia. Councilman Curtis Jones actually took a bunch of young men Stated Meeting 90 10/5/2023 in Jersey on a four-wheeler ATV to try to show them alternatives to driving down the street, right? But there's legislation that has been introduced on the state level that we're entertaining, and I spoke to Commissioner John Stanford yesterday and tried to get more understanding of what are we doing, what aren't we doing, and how can we get a handle on this particular issue. Obviously it's illegal to ride dirt bikes in the City of Philadelphia, so that's a non-starter, right? And at the same time, I'm not a big fan of mass incarceration, but there has to be a level of accountability, right? So we need to make sure we're doing everything we can possible, rather that's supporting more police officers on the street, again exploring alternatives to young men who don't want to ride in the street, but at the end of the day, what took place -- see, the quality of Stated Meeting 91 10/5/2023 issue, I'm like, okay, a lot of noise, right? They wreaking havoc in terms of you driving down the street. And I was surrounded yesterday, so I kind of like perked up, because I'm like I don't want to bump nobody while I'm driving and then I got to go through -I'm serious. I'm like -- because these days you can't really argue with somebody when you get out the car like back in the day, right? So, you know, I know I had to slow down and let them go ahead of me, but when I watched that young lady, right, go back and forth with this young man, the coward I'm going to call it, right? See me if you want to see me, but coward, right, jump in her face, put a gun in her face, right? And she didn't back down, right?
She didn't back down, right, but I had no idea there was children inside the car, right? And to all the chumps that were sitting there watching it go down with another young lady arguing with a young man, right, was Stated Meeting 92 10/5/2023 So we're going to bring together some stakeholders, District Attorney, Police Commissioner, his team, right, some state legislators to begin looking at, again, are we doing everything possible. From my understanding, when they take some of the bikes, there's like some law where they have to figure out a way to give the bikes back to folks. Well, if that's the case, how do we close that loophole, right? Are we immediately destroying the bikes, right? And so at least we have a better understanding as we move forward how we're addressing that issue from a quality of life standpoint, because we're never going to build our city if folks don't want to come here. And the level of the reputation that we're having virally on a national level, well, if I was a Fortune 500 company, I might think twice about coming here, because you know Stated Meeting 93 10/5/2023 why? One, I got to make sure my employees are safe. Two, the families that will move here that actually work in our city, they want to make sure they're going to a neighborhood that's safe, got good schools, and that's clean. So thank you, Council President. And more information will be available as we move forward around illegal task force around ATVs, sir.
Councilman, thank you. Thank you for bringing that to the attention today. Last Friday, the Public Safety Committee had a hearing on drone usage, and you said two things in your speech. One was the national attention to what's been going on in the City of Philadelphia and, two, this whole issue around ATVs. And Stated Meeting 94 10/5/2023 was somewhat concerning. We actually had the City of Hartford was supposed to be scheduled to come to talk about their drone use programs as it relates to ATVs, which I'm told is one of the most successful in the City, and we literally got a call at the last minute saying there's some concern about coming to Philadelphia, because they saw the looting and all of the drama that was going on across this city, and unfortunately that's what people see on the national news, CNN, MSNBC, and they cancelled the trip. It was like -- I was like, wow, I cannot believe this. So I'm sure that we need to follow up, because what I'm told, they have a really, really good program. So thank you for bringing that to our attention. The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Vaughn.
Thank you, Council President. Stated Meeting 95 10/5/2023 mention that just as we have bad children creating havoc in the City of Philadelphia, we also have some good. A City of Philadelphia staff member, Stephanie Graham, who works for the Register of Wills Office, her son owns the cafe called The Wiz at 3622 North 17th Street here in Philadelphia, and he reached out to the young lady whose car was damaged and paid to have the window replaced. (Applause.)
So, you know, we need to support people like him. You know, go get an egg sandwich from his restaurant or something like that just so that he can continue to do the positive work that he saw fit to do to help that family. Thank you.
What was the address again? Stated Meeting 96 10/5/2023
Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman. That concludes the speeches on behalf of the minority and the majority, and with that, the Chair recognizes Councilman Squilla for a motion to adjourn.
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, October 12th, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, October 12, 2023. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
Those opposed? (No response.) Stated Meeting 97 10/5/2023
Thank you. The motion carries. Thank you all very much. ) Stated Meeting 98 10/5/2023 CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L. org Yeah 36:2 Waverly 39:16 62:20 10:18 47:9 Wills 95:8 year 21:7 Way 17:25 Wilson 10:19 66:12 85:14 30:24 38:9 Wilsons 34:7 years 25:2 60:12 69:17 window 89:7 27:19 32:3 75:20 84:10 95:12 33:6, 7, 24 92:12 winning 10:13 34:4, 8 36:6 Wayne 17:24 46:12 37:21 42:17 ways 40:9 wisdom 3:17 66:14 77:14 63:24 89:21 withdraw 7:9 81:2 Wednesday Witness 24:17 year's 66:13 86:22 87:7 27:8 29:23 yellow 19:24 weed 40:7 35:17 39:12 yesterday Week 15:21 42:4 87:25 90:8 17:10, 12 43:5 Witnesses 91:5 59:22 70:25 20:21 31:14 York 44:13 71:3 76:14, 18 Wiz 95:9 young 15:25 weekend Women 68:13 41:4, 8 60:2, 21:17 75:2 69:13 82:14, 15 61:11, 19 80:6 88:12 16 85:15 62:22 63:15, 89:4 Women's 16, 22 75:16 80:9 83:5