Stated Meeting, March 5, 2026

COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA STATED MEETING City Hall, Room 400 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Thursday, March 5, 2026 10:00 a.m. PRESENT: COUNCIL PRESIDENT KENYATTA JOHNSON COUNCILWOMAN RUE LANDAU COUNCILWOMAN NINA AHMAD COUNCILWOMAN KENDRA BROOKS COUNCILWOMAN JAMIE GAUTHIER COUNCILWOMAN KATHERINE GILMORE-RICHARDSON COUNCILWOMAN QUETCY M. LOZADA COUNCILWOMAN CINDY BASS COUNCILMAN MICHAEL DRISCOLL COUNCILMAN CURTIS J. JONES, JR. COUNCILMAN NICOLAS O'ROURKE COUNCILMAN JEFFREY YOUNG, JR. COUNCILMAN ANTHONY PHILLIPS COUNCILMAN BRIAN O'NEILL ELIZABETH MCCOLLUM, Chief Clerk P R O C E E D I N G S

Good morning, everyone. COUNCILMEMBERS: Good morning.

Good morning, everyone. COUNCILMEMBERS: Good morning.

We have a packed house today. I note that the hour has come that a quorum of this council is present. City Council is now coming to order. I thank all members for taking their seats. I thank all visitors for retiring outside the rails, and I'll ask for all sidebar conversations to be taken outside of this City Council chambers. I also would like to ask for everyone to put your cell phones on silent and/or vibrate. To give our invocation this morning, the Chair recognizes Frair Luke Kim from the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. He is here today as guests of Councilmember from South Philadelphia, Mark Squilla. I'll ask all members and guests to please rise. FRAIR KIM: Good morning, everyone. COUNCILMEMBERS: Morning. FRAIR KIM: The prayer probably is not the long, so don't be worried too much. My name is Deacon Luke Kim. I'm a transitional deacon with Franciscan Capuchins, and since last June, I have been assigned to St. John Church here in Philadelphia. I'm pretty enjoying the Center City life here. Although I did not grow up here, Philadelphia has quickly become a place I love deeply. There is an energy in the city that is hard to miss. The warmth of its people, the richness of its neighborhoods, the incredible food, the culture, the music, the history, and the beautiful diversity that makes this city alive in so many different ways. Walking through the streets of Philadelphia, you encounter not just buildings and institutions, but stories, families, struggles, hopes and dreams. It's a privilege to stand here this morning, and I'm grateful to the Council President and to the members of this council for this opportunity to begin this day in prayer. Let us pray. In the name of the Father, of the Son, of the Holy Spirit, amen. God of wisdom and compassion we pause for a moment in the middle of busy schedules, responsibilities and decisions to remember something simple and essential that every city, every community, and every human life ultimately rests in your care. Today we lift up the city of Philadelphia, a city shaped by history, resilience, and the daily work of millions of people who call it home. We pray for the leaders gathered in this chamber. Grant them clarity of mind, integrity of heart, and the courage to seek not what is easy, but what is just and good for the people they serve. We pray for those who serve the public every day, for police officers and firefighters who step toward danger when others step away, for first responders and emergency workers who carry the weight of urgent moments for public servants and civil employees, whose work often goes unseen but keeps the city functioning. We pray for the teachers and educators shaping the minds and hopes of the next generation, for students and young people growing, searching, and discovering who they are meant to become. We pray for medical professionals, nurses, caregivers and hospital staff who bring healing to patients and compassion to those who suffer. We remember the elderly whose wisdom and life stories form the foundation of our communities. We pray for children that they may grow up safe, loved in full of possibility. We pray for families, those who are thriving and those quietly struggling, we lift up those who often remain unseen: the homeless, the poor, the sick, those battling loneliness, addiction or fear. May this city be a place where dignity is protected, where neighbors care for one another and where no person is forgotten. We also pray beyond these walls for our nation, the United States, that it may continue striving toward justice, unity, and peace, and for our world, which longs for healing in so many places marked by conflict, division and suffering. God, grant us the wisdom to see one another, not as stranger, but as fellow human beings entrusted to each other's care. May the work done in this chamber today contribute even in small ways to a more just, compassionate and joyful city.

And may the spirit of peace guide our decisions, our conversations, and our shared future. Amen. In the name of the Father, of the Son, of the Holy Spirit, amen.

The Chair thanks the Father for his invocation. Council will be at ease. The next order of business is the approval of the Journal of the Meeting of Thursday, February the 26th, 2026. The Chair recognizes Majority Deputy Whip Councilmember Cindy Bass.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the journal of the meeting of Thursday, February 26th, 2026 be approved.

It has been moved and properly seconded that the journal of the meeting of Thursday, February the 26th, 2026 stand approved. All in favor will indicate by saying “aye.” AUDIENCE: Aye.

Those opposed? The ayes have it, and the journal is approved. The next order of business is request for leave of absence, and the Chair recognizes Majority Leader Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson.

Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the Majority, a leave of absence is requested for Councilmember Isaiah Thomas.

The Chair thanks the Majority Leader, leave will be granted. The Chair recognizes Minority Leader Councilmember Kendra Brooks.

Thank you, Council President. On the behalf of the minority, there are no requests for leaves of absence.

The Chair thanks the minority leader. The Chair now recognizes Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson for a motion concerning certain legislative matters that may arise during the course of today's session of Council, and that were not listed on the calendar circulated prior to today's council session.

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 matters: Resolutions authorizing hearings, amendments to bills on first reading, the reconsideration of a bill vetoed by or recalled from the mayor, amendments to bills recalled 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 on the calendar that was published prior to today's session.

Second.

It has been moved and properly seconded that the legislative matter stated by Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson may be added to the agenda for today should those matters arise during the course of this council session. All in favor will signify by saying “aye.”

Aye.

Those opposed? The ayes have it, and the motion carries. The Chair will dispense from the regular order of business to recognize the guests and visitors joining us in chambers this morning. On behalf of all members of City Council, I welcome you to our Council session. We appreciate you taking the time to join us as we attend the legislative affairs of our great city. We certainly invite you to come again. I'm going to take a moment to acknowledge the presence of state Senator Sharif Street. Thank you for joining us today. I want to also take a moment to welcome back our colleague, our friend, Honorable Sharon Vaughn, former Councilmember At-Large. Welcome back.

At this time the Chair recognizes Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore- Richardson.

Thank you. Thank you so much, Council President. I wanted to take a moment to recognize a school that's here with us in Council today. And on behalf of Councilmember Quetcy Lozada and I, we thank former Principal Lisa Messi for ensuring that we have their information. Let's welcome the Youth Court from Feltonville School of Arts and Sciences. Please stand and be recognized. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Quetcy Lozada.

Thank you, Council President. I actually was going to do the same thing. Majority Leader, just so we -- just welcoming our students to our chamber.

Thank you very much. Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Anthony Phillips.

Well, Council President, today I have the privilege and honor of recognizing an incredible individual who is doing work here in the city of Philadelphia. We have an NFL Pro Bowler here today. He was a Philadelphia native, and a native of West Oak Lane, here in the 9th District. Zaire started -- Zaire Franklin is here with us today. He started Shelice's Angels in honor of his late mother, Shelice Highsmith, in recognition of women who helped shape his life. Today, the organization empowers young women across Philadelphia by expanding their horizons and exposing them to opportunities beyond what they may see in their immediate surroundings. Zaire is also a graduate of La Salle College High School. Proud to share that with him. But his organization -- he's here -- normally -- he's not here for his football accomplishments, even though he led league in tackles last year. And he's outstanding if you've seen him ever play. But he's here because he does great service in our city. And so he's helping young women through mentorship, leadership development, and programs like entrepreneurship, academies and day in life career experiences. And I just want to say that I had the -- I have the honor of presenting the resolution 12 to him, that -- introduced the resolution in honor of his foundation and honor his mother. And we share in losing our mother at a year -- at a young age. I just want to say, Philadelphia, please welcome to Philadelphia City Council, Pro Bowler and also a servant to Philadelphia, Zaire Franklin and his entire family is here today. Thank you, Council President.

Yes, thank you. Welcome to City Council. Chair recognizes Councilmember Cindy Bass.

Thank you, Mr. President. Well, and good morning, everyone. And today I along with my colleague, Councilmember Jeffrey Young and with state Senator Sharif Street, we want to welcome students from the Philadelphia Technician Training Institute, PTTI, who are here visiting today. Programs like theirs are incredibly important because they prepare people with real hands-on skills and trades like welding, construction, manufacturing, and automotive repair, careers that keep our city running and growing. As future professionals in these industries, the work they're training to do will help build and maintain our communities. And I'm so glad they took time out to come and visit and learn a little bit about how local government works. And again, a special shout out. I want to thank State Senator Sharif Street for organizing the tour and taking time out of his very busy meeting and schedule to make sure that we had the conversation directly with the students and director of PTTI. Please welcome them to chambers and wish them all the success as they continue building their skills and careers. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you very much. The Chair also welcomes to our chambers today, Philadelphia's first woman sheriff, Rochelle Bilal. Thank you for joining us today. Chair recognizes Minority Leader Kendra Brooks.

Thank you, Council President. I want to welcome to the chambers in honor of Black History Month, and as the chair of Disabilities, four amazing women that are kind of paving the way for folks with disabilities, primarily their children; is Cecilia Thomas, Dolores Brown Waters, Yvonne Hughes and Isalee Laverne Baskerville. I had the honor of working with many of these women prior to being elected around Education, Justice, and I'm working with children with disabilities. So I would like to welcome to the chamber today and honor them in reference to Black History Month.

Welcome to City Council. Can you please stand. Thank you very much. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier.

Thank you, Council President. Well, I originally pressed my button to recognize my special guest, but I see so many friends that I want to mention quickly. First, I see James Aye from YEAH Philly here today because they're being honored. They do some of the best work I've ever seen with young people, keeping them out of a cycle of violence, and I'm so grateful for their efforts, particularly in my district. And I'm so glad to see PTTI here today because they're expanding to the 3rd District, which is incredibly exciting. But chiefly, I wanted to recognize many leaders and supporters of Philadelphia Masjid who are here today to speak in favor of a resolution that we'll be voting on to rename the 4700 block of Wyalusing Philadelphia Masjid Way.

Okay.

I can't say enough about what great partners Philadelphia Masjid is to me and my community work. They are welcoming to people inside of the Masjid walls, and they also provide a huge amount of support to community members outside of the Masjid walls. And it is my pleasure to honor them, and I look forward to hearing their comments today. Thank you so much.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jim Harrity.

Thank you, Council President. I figured I'd get on it. I've seen her hiding up there. Former State Rep Movita Harrell-Johnson is in the house also. I know she's here with PTTI, which I'm a big supporter of also, and so she was kind of kind to keep it cool, but I spotted you. Thank you, Council President.

Thank you, Member Jim Harrity. Thank you everyone who are joining us today. I want to take a moment of personal privilege as we kick off Women's History Month to ask the women of City Council to join me as we honor the Deborah Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star. During Women's History Month for 126 years of women led fraternal service to the city of Philadelphia with Kelly J. Shepherd, Grand Worthy Matron of Deborah Grand Chapter, Prince Hall Adopted Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and all those accompanying her to the podium. And I would like to ask for all of the women of City Council to join them as well. As we celebrate Women's History Month, it's only fitting and right that as a Council body, we acknowledge the importance of women, but most importantly their place in our society as we move our great city of Philadelphia forward. And this is an organization that exemplifies service, but most importantly, the empowerment of women. So I thank them for joining me in this celebration as we honor their hard work and dedication to improving the quality of life of all people here in the city of Philadelphia. And the Chair acknowledges Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore-Richardson. Can we give our women a round of applause, everyone? They said if you want to get something done, give it to a woman.

Thank you. Thank you very much, Council President, for recognizing the women of Philadelphia City Council as we recognize and honor the Order of Eastern Star, so many wonderful community servants who are here with us today. We thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. The Council of the city of Philadelphia is pleased and proud to honor and recognize the Deborah Grand Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star during Women's History Month for 126 years of women-led service to the city of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Whereas, in the 1900s the Order of Eastern Star was officially founded in Pennsylvania, a fraternal organization consisting of Prince Hall Mason relatives devoted to paternal love and community service. The Deborah Grand Chapter is the umbrella organization of Eastern Star chapters across the commonwealth comprising of over 50 local chapters across the state. And --

Whereas, local Eastern Star chapters from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg united in 1916 to form the Pennsylvania Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star, known colloquially as the Deborah Grand Chapter. And --

Whereas, the Order of Eastern Star's mission is to uplift families, mentor young women, support educational initiatives and strengthen neighborhoods. And whereas the Order of Eastern Star's uplifts young individuals in Philadelphia by providing scholarships and mentorships to college-bound students. And --

Whereas, the Deborah Grand Lodge focuses its initiatives on improving outcomes and quality life for individuals affected by disease, with members actively fundraising for breast cancer research, autism awareness, and diabetes education. And --

Whereas, as Philadelphia celebrates Women's History Month, the Deborah Grand Chapter stands as a powerful example of the vital role women-led organizations play in strengthening the city's civic and social fabric. And --

Whereas, for 126 years the Deborah Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star has embodied the spirit of sisterly affection, working to strengthen and uplift the Philadelphia community and the city, and the city is proud to recognize and honor this legacy.

Therefore, by virtue of this citation, the Council of the city of Philadelphia does hereby honor and congratulate the Deborah Grand Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star during Women's History Month for 126 years of women-led fraternal service to the city of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. With deep appreciation, we extend the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body. Congratulations.

Please proceed. SIS. KELLY SHEPPARD: Good morning. COUNCILMEMBERS: Good morning. SIS. KELLY SHEPPARD: I just want to thank City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, and certainly to the City Council of Philadelphia for this wonderful recognition. We came bearing a few gifts ourselves, and if you wouldn't mind, in honor of Women's History Month, I have a whole thing that I wrote, but I'm just going to talk. We have some presentations for some very special people, members of City Council who come every day and work for their constituents. They come here every day to stand up for those who do not have a voice. They come here every day to make sure that the citizens of Philadelphia in their districts are represented. At this time, Monique --

I'm right here. SIS. KELLY SHEPPARD: All right. Katherine Gilmore- Richardson, Majority Leader, Kendra Brooks, Minority Leader, Jamie Gauthier, District 3, Quetcy Lozada, District 7, Cindy Bass, District 8, Nina Ahmad and Rue Landau. Deborah Grand Chapter came here today to offer some added encouragement to you ladies today. As we reflect on milestones achieved, we also recognize the work that remains, the spirit of trailblazers like Sojourner Truth or Katherine Johnson lives on in those who continue pushing for equality, innovation, and opportunity. Women's History Month is both a celebration and a call to action, to mentor, to advocate, and to lead. May you all have an amazing day. Thank you so much.

Council will be at ease. Happy Women's History Month. Again, Happy Women's History Month to the ladies of City Council. At this time the chair recognizes Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, who will present a resolution recognizing, celebrating the 2026 Women's History Month in the city of Philadelphia in championing the power of women who build connections and drive prosperity for all. Will Mo McCarty and those accompanying her please join Councilmember Quetcy Lozada at the podium. Joining Councilmember Quetcy Lozada are the following members: Everyone. For the record, Councilmember Dr. Anthony Phillips, Councilmember Rue Landau, Minority Leader Kendra Brooks, Councilmember and Minority Deputy Whip Nicholas O'Rourke, Councilmember Mike Driscoll, Councilmember Mark Squilla, Councilmember Cindy Bass, Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore- Richardson, Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad, Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr., Councilmember Jim Harrity, Councilmember Rue Landau and Councilmember Jamie Gauthier. Everybody. I like that. I like it that way. Unanimous. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Quetcy Lozada. The floor is yours.

Thank you, Council President. I can't help but notice all of the women in this chamber. And so because we're celebrating Women's History Month, can we give all the women in chamber a round of applause. Today I rise to recognize March, 2026 as Women's History Month in the city of Philadelphia and celebrate the women in our communities who build connections, strengthen neighborhoods, and create opportunities for others. Women's History Month is a time to reflect on those who came before us, women who pushed open -- to open doors in government, education, healthcare, business and community life. A time to recognize the women doing the work every day in our neighborhoods. Across Philadelphia and especially in our communities, women are building the networks of care that hold families and neighborhoods together. The women we honor in this resolution 2 remind us of what leadership looks like and where it happens. Their work, this essential work strengthens our neighborhoods, supports our families, and moves our city forward. Women's History Month is about honoring that impact and making sure the next generation of girls and young women can see what leadership looks like in their own communities and know it belongs to them too. To the women we recognize today and to the many others across Philadelphia doing the work every day, thank you. Thank you so much. Philadelphia is stronger because of you. Recognizing and celebrating March, 2026 as Women's History Month in the city of Philadelphia and championing the power of women who build connections and drive prosperity for all. Whereas since 1995, presidents have issued an annual proclamation recognizing March as Women's History Month, celebrating the numerous contributions women have made to the United States and acknowledging the specific achievements of women across diverse field throughout American history. And whereas women of every social economic background have made significant historic contributions to the growth, development and resilience of the city of Philadelphia shaping its culture, economy and society. And --

Whereas, the city of Philadelphia commends the contributions of women in Philadelphia who historically have been underrepresented as part of an ongoing effort to celebrate women of all backgrounds in celebration of Women's History Month.

Whereas, Lynnette Perez, Susan Post, Amanda Garayua, Alma B. Rios, Keisha Hudson, Nashira Felder, DJ Nash, Jasmine Rivera, Mo McCarty, Erika Nunez and Natalie Gonzalez are emblematic of women throughout Philadelphia who dedicate their lives to building communities of support and influence, founding grassroots advocacy organizations, strengthening influential community bonds and creating neighborhood spaces for care and connection. And --

Whereas, Lynnette Perez has played a crucial role in helping women who face barriers to economic mobility find community and support, drawing on her decades of experience as a controller Lynnette founded Raices Financials, a nonprofit that provides financial expertise to those experiencing economic hardship in her community. Through this work and other leadership roles, she exemplifies advocacy for women by helping them navigate obstacles and empowering them through mentorship and shared community. And --

Whereas, Susan Post, a long-term resident -- long-term resident of Hunting Park, has devoted over 18 years as Chief Executive Officer of 19 Esperanza Health Center to 20 improving healthcare access and quality of life outcomes, providing culturally responsive care that dignifies patients. And under her leadership, Esperanza serves more than 15,000 patients annually, across three sites through comprehensive medical, dental, behavioral health, and community health services. And --

Whereas, Amanda Garayua has dedicated her life towards addressing Philadelphia's affordable housing shortage, serving as a director of Housing Services, HAVE, she has led efforts to empower more than 7,500 households to access credit improvement, home ownership education, foreclosure prevention, counseling and innovative leadership that have led to long- term housing stability throughout our city. And --

Whereas, during times of loss and grief, Alma B. Rios helps individuals navigate these difficult emotions that often lead to isolation. Through a leadership of a grief ministry, she creates supportive, shared experiences that bring the community together. At the same time as the operator of Amadorez Funeral Home, she demonstrates a deep commitment to ensuring that all members of the community are honored with dignity and care regardless of social standing. And --

Whereas, when members of our community are unjustly treated by the criminal justice system, Chief Defender Keisha Hudson steps in to advocate on behalf of these often- overlooked individuals. And for over years in public defense, 22 she has fought on behalf of 23 migrants, those wrongfully incarcerated while building systems of support that bring marginalized communities together in the face of injustice. And whereas, West Philadelphia native, Nashira Felder, formerly known as DJ Nash, exemplifies love and connection by creating intentional spaces of cultural exchange through music that blends multiple diasporas. And she brings these same principles to local communities through her Family of Beats and Babes and Sweet 45, a community centered space in the 7th Councilmanic District, elevating the voices of women DJs, expanding opportunities in the music industry and building spaces that bridge divides, strengthens local communities and brings people together. And --

Whereas, ICE unlawfully detains individuals and separates them from our communities, Jasmine Rivera steps in to advance legislation that protects migrants while helping those unjustly detained return home to their families, demonstrating a strong aptitude for fostering collective and social action. Serving as executive director for Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition, she strengthens community connection, inspiring meaningful change. And --

Whereas, Mo McCarty devotes her time to ensuring that women of low socioeconomic status have access to mental health resources that have traditionally been unavailable to them. As the -- sorry -- founder of the nonprofit Unorthodox Therapy Inc., she has created a framework that allows women-owned businesses to access mental health care without disrupting their operations. Through this work and other leadership initiatives, Mo fosters meaningful relationships across the community, creating lasting connections, stability and support. And --

Whereas, employing her creative talents, Erika Nunez blends art and advocacy to transcend communities and build coalitions that come together to fight for those facing injustice. And serving as executive director of Juntos, she pioneers efforts to uplift immigrant communities by celebrating traditional cultural traditions while remembering those lost to detention and systemic injustice, building intentional spaces of reflection, healing, and solidarity that dignify all who have been lost to injustice. And --

Whereas, growing up in Juanita Park, Natalie Gonzalez was inspired through her -- Juliana. You know I'm from Philadelphia when I go to -- good Lord. Whereas growing up in Juliana Park, Natalie Gonzalez was inspired throughout her educational journey at Hobson's Elementary School, Community Academy of Philadelphia Charter School, where she recognized the early needs to support multilingual learners. After earning her teacher certification, Natalie Gonzalez dedicated herself to empowering K-12 students and their families, fostering a sense of belonging, acceptance, and opportunity in classrooms that have historically limited pathways, embodying inclusion in the belief that all students deserve access to education and the chance to succeed. And --

Whereas, in light of their collective and lasting impact, it is important to recognize women such as those mentioned above, whose contributions have often been underrepresented in the ongoing celebration of Women's History Month, providing opportunities to elevate their voices, ensure their achievements are acknowledged and inspire future generations of women leaders. Now, therefore, be it --

Resolved by the City Council of Philadelphia, that hereby recognizes and celebrates March, 2026 as Women's History Month and honors the power of women in the city of Philadelphia to whom meaningful connections strengthen communities and drive economic growth and prosperity for all. Congratulations.

Chair recognizes Mo McCarty for remarks.

All right. Wow and wow and wow. That was a, like -- that was a handful, right? My goodness, what an honor it is to be here. And of course, just like anyone else, we have a list of things and we have a -- I wrote a paper with all the things, but you know, I'm a natural speaker, and I just want to start off by saying I moved here seven and a half years ago, and so I'm not your average Philly -- boots on -- like girl that was born here, raised here. And so I want to emphasize that I got my first winter storm this past winter storm, and what I've learned is that you don't touch nobody's cones, you don't touch nobody's trash cans, you don't touch anybody's nothing. But what I've learned through that is the emphasis of Philly and the culture, and I've learned to love the community so much, and for those that have been around me, have seen me, I have count -- I have toured all 10 councilmanic districts and I'm boots on the grounds with these women. I got to see what most transplant don't get to see. And that is really live in the day in and day out of Philadelphians, especially as someone who is navigating what mental health looks like and providing services for women through local women business owners. Okay? So I have a nonprofit here called Unorthodox Therapy, and I feel -- as I -- when I transition here, there was a gap, and there's a stigma where therapy looks like you have to be in front of someone, when therapy looks like being in community. We were not designed to be alone. And in this -- in this room alone here, look at the women here, look at this. We're about to celebrate 250 years -- 250 years. This city is the first of many things. And the first we have women like Quetcy, we have women like the first Asian, South Asian, Nina, you have Rue here, you have the Gilmores, you have all these wonderful women -- I said the Gilmores -- but you have all these women that are leading the way, breaking change and change makers. And I am so proud to stand here today to not only be the light of this world, but be the salt on this earth as I was called to be. Okay? And so it is not easy. I will tell you that it is not easy. But man, what is it an honor to sit here and be here as a transplant, so all the women -- for all the young ladies, for all the women that are watching. Let me be a walking testimonial what it looks like to not know a single soul. I didn't know anyone here in Philadelphia. I knew a man that I fell in love with. Okay? That man right there is the executive chief of the Fire Department. And let me tell you -- and I mentioned that because it's very important that we leverage the relationships we have, right? And use our male counterparts because they're going to get in rooms that we can't get into. Unfortunately, that's how history showed it, right? Until history said, nah, we got this, we got this, we got this, we got this. And I want you to know that I'm a walk-in testimony of that, because even though there might be a glass ceiling that says we can't get there, let me be that face that says, listen, I am a transplant. I'm an LA girl living in Philadelphia, making a way here with no one and nobody, but you know what? Relationships, community, this is what that looks like, and I want you to know that if I can do it, you can do it. Absolutely. Okay? So we thank you so much. I thank you and I'm so honored to be here. And I thank you for this opportunity to speak and share just my history, my story, here for the city of Philadelphia. I love this city. I'm the best version of myself because of this city. LA didn't do that for me. Cali didn't do that for me. Philadelphia did that for me. Okay? So I'm a Philly girl. Okay? I'm that Jawn. Is that the saying? The Jawn.

Thank you very much.

My name is Keisha Hudson. I'm the chief defender at the Defender Association of Philadelphia. I want to -- that's very hard to follow, Mo. I always appreciate and love the opportunities to talk about public defense and why public defense is important. And so I want to thank Councilmember Lozada for giving me the opportunity and this honor to talk just for a few moments about why our work matters. Our organization is the largest public defense organization in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We're the fourth largest public defender agency in the country. Last year, we represented 70 percent of the people in Philadelphia, youth adults who came into the system, to break the numbers down that looked like 30,000 adults and 4,000 children, not just children in our justice system, but we also represent children in our dependency system as well. And we did that with 230 lawyers and a quarter of a million court appearances. Our work is intense, it is hard, and we work with people who are; by the definition of getting a public defender are impoverished. Every system, for many of our clients, multiple systems have impacted their journey into the criminal legal space, whether that'd be education, whether that'd be poverty, trauma. 70 percent of our clients were victims of some type of criminal offense before they became our clients. So the work we do is hard, and I thank Councilmember Lozada for acknowledging not just me, but the larger and more important acknowledgement of the Defender Association of Philadelphia and the 530 people that work with me to do incredible hard work. I always say that public defenders are the best storytellers because you only get one frame of our clients when they come into the system. You may read that one headline, see that news report, and it is not going to portray our clients at all in a good light. But public defenders, we have to look at it as a painting, right? You get one tiny frame of the painting. Everybody's lives is much more complex and has been informed by so much more than what happened on the day of or the night of. And it is our jobs as public defenders to tell that story. I'm proud also to announce that in January we launched our first immigration defense practice. We did that with the supports of Councilmember Lozada, City Council President and the Parker administration. We are doing incredible work on the ground and we're now telling the stories of our non-citizen community members in Philadelphia, who are being brought into the system by ICE. Families are torn apart, and we're sitting with them now telling their stories, trying to get them out of detention, trying to get them to stay here in a city that they built, that they worked, in communities that they've built. And so I'm proud to thank City Council for the work that they have done to support us in being able to do the work of now being in a new space for us which is representing non-citizens. Thank you.

Thank you. Council will be at ease. (Council at ease.)

The next order of business is communications to Chair requests that the Sergeant-at-Arms delivered the messages from the mayor to the Chief Clerk. Would the Chief Clerk please read the messages from the mayor and any other communications in her possession.

To the president and members of the council of the city of Philadelphia, I'm submitting herewith for the consideration of your honorable body the following proposed ordinance: An ordinance amending Title of the Philadelphia Code 8 entitled Zoning and Planning by 9 amending certain provisions of the 10 CMX-1 Commercial Mixed Use, zoning 11 district regarding uses, 12 dimensional requirements and 13 parking, all under certain terms 14 and conditions. And an ordinance amending Title 14 of the Philadelphia Code entitled Zoning and Planning by revising certain provisions of Section 14-513 entitled Transit- Oriented Development Overlay District to rename it Transit- Oriented Communities Overlay District to expand its applicability radius and amending various sections to make changes to applicable use, dimensional and parking standards, all under certain terms and conditions. And an ordinance amending Section 14-513 of the Philadelphia Code entitled Transit-Oriented Development Overlay District by exempting certain districts from ground floor use requirements, all under certain terms and conditions. And an ordinance amending Section 14-600 of the Philadelphia Code entitled Use Regulations to allow transit station use and commercial zoning districts all under certain terms and conditions. And an ordinance 19 authorizing the installation ownership and maintenance of right of way encroachments in various parts of the city, under certain terms and conditions. And I'm pleased to advise you that on March 4th, 2026 I signed the following bills which were passed by counsel at its session on February 19th, 2026. Bill No. 250989-A and 251098, and that Bill No. 251097 is being returned unsigned, and that pursuant to Sections 4-604 and 2-307 of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, I'm today transmitting to the council the recommendation of the City Planning Commission on the following bills: Bill No. 260022; approval with amendments, 260025, 260055 and 260074 all approved. Council President, there are no further communications in my possession.

Thank you. The messages will be printed in the journal. The next order of business is the introduction of bills and resolutions. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Anthony Phillips.

Thank you, Council President. I have two privileged resolutions, one of them honoring Shelice Highsmith, the mother of Zaire Franklin, for all the work that she's did for him and now he's doing for our community.

Thank you very much. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the resolutions?

A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing Shelice's Angels for its work empowering young women by expanding their horizons, building self- esteem and providing resources, mentorship and exposure to opportunities beyond their immediate environments.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.

And a privileged resolution honoring and recognizing Youth Empowerment for Advancement Hangout, YEAH Philly, for its work, advancing community- based violence prevention, youth leadership and healing centered engagement with Black youth in Philadelphia.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. Chair recognizes Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore-Richardson.

Thank you, Council President. Today I offer three bills, one on your behalf, two privileged resolutions, one on your behalf and one non-privileged resolution on your behalf.

Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the bills and resolutions?

An ordinance 6 amending chapter 9-600 of the Philadelphia Code Service and other Businesses by adding --

One second. Counsel will be at ease. Mr. Sergeant-at-Arms, could you make sure on that side of the room that people please keep it down, and take any sidebar conversations out of the Council chambers even if you have any questions you want to ask anyone. Please resume. Chief Clerk, please read the title of the bills and resolutions please.

An ordinance 23 amending chapter 9-600 of the Philadelphia Code Service and other businesses by adding a new Section 2 9-631.1 to establish requirements for commercial landlords to take remedial action against -- excuse me -- take certain remedial action against commercial tenants who engage in tobacco retailing with a required tobacco retailer permit and establishing penalties, all under certain terms and conditions.

This bill will be referred to your prob via committee.

And an ordinance amending Title IX of the Philadelphia Code entitled Regulation of Businesses, Trades and Professions to establish restrictions and regulations related to the sale of certain intoxicating substances and provide for associated penalties and enforcement, all under certain terms and conditions.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

And an ordinance authorizing the installation, ownership and maintenance of a right of way encroachment in various parts of the city, all under certain terms and conditions.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

And a privileged resolution honoring -- congratulating and honoring the Deborah Grand Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star during Women's History Month for 126 years of women-led service to the city of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.

And a non-privileged resolution urging the United States Congress to pass the Protecting American History Act, which would prevent any further attempt by the federal government to whitewash Philadelphia's complex history and require the restoration of the President's House Memorial.

This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session of council. The Chair recognizes the Councilmember --

One more. And a privileged resolution 20 recognizing March 1st through the 7th, 2026 during Women's History Month as Women in Construction Week in the city of Philadelphia.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier.

Good morning, Council President. Today I have one non-privileged resolution for introduction.

Thank you very much. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the resolution?

A non-privileged resolution also naming the 5100 block of Delancey Street as Rashe Hall Way, to honor the life and memory of Rashe Hall and his lasting impact on his family, neighbors, and the West Philadelphia community.

This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at the next session of council. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones.

Thank you, Mr. President. I have one bill, one privileged, and one non-privileged resolution.

Thank you very much, Member Jones. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the bill and resolutions.

An ordinance 13 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.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

And a non-privileged resolution renaming the 700 block of North 63rd Street Madeline Dunaway in recognition of her lifetime community leadership and civic engagement in West Philadelphia.

This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration at our next session in council. Very well done, Member Jones.

And a privileged resolution honoring and recognizing the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Incorporated, Pennsylvania, Chapter NC100BWPA on their annual legislative day and for their dedication to advancing gender and racial equity and empowering Black women during Women's History Month.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau.

Good morning, Council President, colleagues and the public. I have two privileged resolutions today, one of which I am co-introducing with Councilmember O'Rourke.

Thank you very much. Chief Clerk, please read the title of the resolutions please.

A privileged resolution declaring March 1st through 7th, 2026 as National Consumer Protection Week in the city of Philadelphia.

This resolution will be placed on the today's Final Passage Calendar.

And a privileged resolution honoring the life of Nasrallah Abu Siyam, a Palestinian Philadelphian who was fatally shot in the village of Mukhmas in occupied West Bank on the first day of Ramadan.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar.

And Council President --

Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau.

Thank you so much. Just one second. I wanted to recognize the family who is here today. If you guys could stand, we could recognize you as Nasrallah's family. Thank you.

Chair recognizes Councilmember Quetcy Lozada. Councilmember LOZADA: Good morning, Council President. I have one bill.

Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the bill.

An ordinance 6 amending Section 14-545 of the Philadelphia Code entitled 7th District Overlay District by adding provisions from the American Street Overlay District and the Neighborhood Commercial Area Overlay District, North Delaware Avenue, by removing the American Street Overlay District from the zoning code and making related changes, all under certain terms and conditions.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee. Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey J. Young.

Thank you, Mr. President. Today I offer one bill co-sponsored by Councilmember Jones, and one non-privileged resolution.

Thank you very much. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the bill and resolution.

An ordinance 9 amending Section 12-2700 of the Philadelphia Code entitled Stopping, Standing or Parking at certain times, to provide for regulation of such activity within an area described therein.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

And a non-privileged resolution also naming Buttonwood Street between Broad Street and North 15th Street as Dr. Constance E. Clayton Way.

Very well done, Member Young. This resolution will be placed on the Final Passage Calendar for consideration in our next session of Council. And in that spirit, the great -- late great Constance E. Clayton. How many of you-all remember Constance E. Clayton growing up? Good job, Member Young. Make you go to school in 10 feet of snow. We were still going to school, though. I miss that spirit. We knew she cared about us though, no 14 doubt in my mind, wouldn't be closing all these schools either, but that's another conversation. It is what it is. The Chair recognizes Minority Leader Kendra Brooks.

Thank you, Council President. I have one privileged resolution to introduce today.

Thank you very much. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the privileged resolution.

A privileged resolution celebrating Cecilia Thompson, Dolores Brown Waters, Yvonne Hughes, Isalee Laverne Baskerville and Black women fighting for disability justice and accessibility for all across Philadelphia on the occasion of Women's History Month.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. I saw Cecilia around here somewhere. Is she still here in the building? Cecilia, could you please stand? Congratulations. One of the hardest working legitimate school board members I've ever seen working on behalf of our children. Thank you for being here. Great job, Member Brooks. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jim Harrity.

Thank you, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions today.

Thank you, sir. Chair recognizes Councilmember Nicholas O'Rourke.

Thank you, Mr. President. No bills today.

Thank you very much. Chair recognizes Councilmember Mike Driscoll.

Morning, Mr. President. I have one privileged resolution on your behalf.

Thank you very much. Would the Chief Clerk please read the title of the privileged resolution?

A privileged resolution proclaiming the month of March, 2026 as Irish Heritage Month in the city of Philadelphia and honoring Daniel J. Hilferty for his commitment to advancing the Irish American community and service as the Grand Marshal leading the 254th St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 15th, 2026.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. Member Driscoll, please make sure you have my Irish potatoes next week. Thank you, sir. Looking forward, sir.

Next Thursday.

Next Thursday. Thank you, sir. Chair recognizes Councilmember Brian O'Neill.

Thank you Mr. President. I have no bills or resolutions. 2

Thank you very much, sir. Chair recognizes Councilmember Mark Squilla.

7 Thank you, Mr. President. Call for 8 one bill. 9

10 Thank you very much. Would the 11 Chief Clerk please read the title 12 of the bill? 13

An ordinance 14 amending Section 9-605 of the 15 Philadelphia Code entitled Towing 16 to revise certain requirements 17 regarding the issuance of a ticket 18 on private lots, private property 19 and driveways. 20

21 This bill will be referred to the 22 appropriate committee. Chair 23 recognizes Councilmember Cindy 24 Bass.

Thank you, Mr. President. I offer one bill and one privileged resolution.

Thank you very much. May the Chief Clerk please read the title of the bill and resolution.

An ordinance 9 amending Section 9-605 of the Philadelphia Code entitled Towing by regulating the use of vehicle immobilization devices commonly known as barnacles and other non-wheel-based immobilization devices by private parking lot operators, all under certain terms and conditions.

This bill will be referred to the appropriate committee.

And a privileged resolution honoring and recognizing the life and legacy of Henrietta Lacks during Women's History Month and further commending the Lacks' family for their advocacy in reaching historic settlements with pharmaceutical companies and helping to advance national conversations about medical ethics, racial equity, and patients' rights.

This resolution will be placed on today's Final Passage Calendar. Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad.

Thank you, Council President. I have no bills or resolutions today.

Thank you very much. The next order of business is reports from committee. The Chair recognizes Majority Leader Councilmember Katherine Gilmore-Richardson for a report on the Committee on Finance.

Thank you, Mr. President. The Committee on Finance reports out five bills with a favorable recommendation.

Thank you very much. Would the Chief Clerk please read the report?

The Committee on Finance to which were referred the following bills: Bill 11 No. 250769, an ordinance amending Title 20 of the Philadelphia Code entitled Officers and Employees by changing the compensation of members of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, all under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 251066, an ordinance authorizing the commissioner of records and the procurement commissioner on behalf of the city to execute a multi-year concession agreement with Ancestry.com in connection with the digitizing, indexing and public access and search of city of Philadelphia Department of Records vital records, all under provisions set forth in the concession agreement substantially as set forth in Exhibit A to this ordinance. Bill No. 260021, an ordinance amending chapter 19-1700 of the Philadelphia Code entitled Finances, Taxes and Collections, to amend excluded transactions to the Realty Transfer Tax, all under certain terms and conditions. Bill No. 260112, an ordinance authorizing generally the continued issuance on sale by the city of Philadelphia of Gas Works revenue notes of the city prescribing the forms of notes and providing for their execution and payment, pledging certain revenues of the gas works as security, adopting a rate of covenant and directing the imposition and collection of rates and charges sufficient to comply therewith, prescribing the conditions precedent to the issuance of specific series of notes including a resolution passed by the Bond Committee, providing for establishment of credit report for notes, providing for designation of a fiscal agent and sinking fund depository, providing for the establishment of a sinking fund in its management, providing remedies upon default and providing amendments and modifications. And Bill No. 260113, an ordinance authorizing generally the continued issuance and sale by the city of Philadelphia of Gas Works revenue notes of the City, prescribing the forms of notes and providing for their execution and payment; pledging certain revenues of the Gas Works as security; adopting a rate covenant and directing the imposition and collection of rates and charges sufficient to comply therewith; prescribing the conditions precedent to the issuance of specific series of notes, including a resolution passed by the Bond Committee; providing for the establishment of credit support for notes; providing for the designation of a fiscal agent and sinking fund depository; providing for the establishment of a sinking fund and its management; providing remedies upon default; and providing for amendments and modifications, respectfully reports it as considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable recommendation. There are no further bills to report out from the Committee on Finance, Council President.

Thank you very much. The Chair recognizes Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore-Richardson for a motion.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that the Rules of Council be suspended as to permit First Reading this day of the bills just read into the record by the Chief Clerk. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.

It has been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit the consideration of these bills just read by the Chief Clerk at today's session of council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying “aye.” COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.

Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion carries. These bills will be placed on our First Reading calendar for today. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier for a report from the Committee on Housing and Neighborhood Development and the Homeless.

Thank you, Council President. The Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless reports out two bills with a favorable recommendation.

Thank you very much. Would the Chief Clerk please read the report?

The Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless to which were referred the following bills: Bill No. 250329, an ordinance amending Chapter 9-3900 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled Property Licenses and Owner Accountability, to clarify licensing requirements, authorize the Department to create a proactive inspection program, require public reporting related to code compliance, and establish remedies, damages, and protections for tenants, all under certain terms and conditions. And Bill No. 250330, an ordinance amending Chapter 9-800 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled Landlord and Tenant, to modify the requirements related to good cause for ending a tenancy; add protections against retaliation and harassment for tenants and tenant organizations; specify tenants' rights related to the implied warranty of habitability; provide a legal presumption related to breaches of the implied warranty of habitability; create a tenant right to organize; specify deadlines for asserting claims; and establish and enhance enforcement mechanisms, remedies, damages, and protections, all under certain terms and conditions, respectfully reports it has considered and amended the same and returns the attached bills to Council with a favorable recommendation. There are no further bills to report out from the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless, Council President.

Chair recognizes Councilmember Jamie Gauthier for a motion.

Thank you, Council President. I move that the Rules of Council be suspended to permit First Reading this day of the bills just read into the record by the Chief Clerk. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.

It has been moved and properly seconded that the Rules of Council be suspended so we have to permit the consideration of these bills just read by the Chief Clerk at today's session of council. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying “aye.” COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.

Those opposed? Ayes have it. The motion carries. These bills will be placed on our First Reading Calendar for today. The next order of business is the consideration of the calendar. I note that the bills just reported from committees with the suspension of the rules have been deemed to have had a First Reading. These bills will be placed on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar for the next session of Council, as there are no 8 additional bills on the First Reading Calendar. The Chair recognizes Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore- Richardson for a motion concerning the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars.

Thank you, Mr. President. The following bills and resolutions are being called up from the Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars today: Nos. 260136 and 260139. The following bills and resolutions on the calendar are being held: 250768, 250807 and 251025. The following bills are being amended: 250843, 250917 and 250980.

Thank you, Majority Leader. Before considering the bills and resolutions, we will consider public comment as follows: Your public comment must concern matters on a Second Reading and Final Passage Calendars for possible action at today's Council session. All speakers must sign up in order to testify. If you have not already signed up for today's session, please do so now by giving your name to Ms. Hashing at the table outside the rails to my left. Once you have signed up, you will be called in the order in which your name appears on the signup sheet. Under ideal circumstances, public commenters each will have three minutes to speak. However, this time limit may vary from session to session. Today, the time limit will be two minutes. In order to be fair to all those wishing to speak, I intend to hold faithfully to the two-minute limit. When you begin speaking, you will see a green light on a podium when there are 30 seconds remaining to your time, the light will turn yellow, which is your reminder to conclude your remarks. Once two minutes have passed, the light will turn red and the Sergeant-at-Arms will disconnect the microphone. At that point, please yield the podium to the next speaker if you have not already done so. I also reserve the right pursuant to our Rules of Council to limit repetitious comments on the same subject matter. In addition, if you are also here to speak with a guest, you must have your name written still on our record log in order for you to come forward and speak and to be acknowledged. I will now ask for our Chief Clerk -- which is pretty significant because she will be -- let me make sure I get the title right. Deputy Chief Clerk for the day, first African American woman to be in such a position to kick off Women's History Month, to please call the first person to testify.

Will Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, Zaire Franklin, Jeremy Blatstein, Carla Hill, Charles Barr and Saul Muhammad, please make your way to the podium.

Floor is yours, Madam Sheriff. SHERIFF BILAL: Good morning.

Morning. SHERIFF BILAL: Council President, Councilmembers, I'm here to speak on Bill No. 260136. And the reason why I'm here is because I am one of the original group that helped establish Sister Clara Muhammad, now known as Philadelphia Masjid. Not only did I help establish it, I was one of the secretaries in the office at the school. My daughter attended Sister Clara Muhammad. And I want to thank Councilwoman Gauthier and everybody that signed on it in naming the street. They say Philadelphia Masjid; I say Sister Clara Muhammad/Philadelphia Masjid. Get it right, brothers. Sister Clara Muhammad, who was the wife of Elijah Muhammad, which basically helped establish the Nation of Islam. And she was the first lady. We call her Nation of Islam. And so I'm just here in support of and making sure that you know the history. And thank you because this is Women's History Month, and because Sister Clara Muhammad was history. And so just to let you know my history, and being one of the original members that raised money because it was a Roman Catholic School when we boarded Nation Number 12 to become Sister Clara Muhammad. I'm in full support of and I support it, though I'm a solid member of Masjid Allah, I still support Sister Clara Muhammad. Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Good morning. COUNCILMEMBERS: Morning.

Don't want to take too much of your time. First off, just want to say thank you again to the City Council. Thank you again, Dr. Anthony Phillips, you know, for honoring Shelice's Angels, for the resolution from my mother, Shelice Nicole Highsmith. You know, I just not only wanted to give thanks, but also wanted to speak on a little bit about who she was. My mother was a dreamer, someone who taught me to believe not only in myself, but to see further and past the environment that we were in. That's something that I take extremely personal, and I try to instill on the young men and women that I come across and am able to influence. The entire purpose and goal of my organization is not only to give kids these experiences that they may not have had otherwise, whether that's taking them to Google headquarters in New York, having them sit down with the front office of the Sixers or, you know, sit down with business owners in the Black -- in the community and talk about entrepreneurship and talk about the adversity that it takes to be successful. It's just to really give them the realistic understanding that you could really dream and you accomplish anything you want to. Me being a young man from North Philly, growing up in West Oak Lane, I never dreamed that I would have the honor or the privilege to be able to stand here in front of you today. Never thought I would have the honor of playing in the NFL, playing in Germany and accomplishing and doing all the different things that I've been able to do. So I'm just here to let you guys know that you have somebody that's from our city, from our neighborhood that's fighting to serve our youth in the right way and lead them the way they need to. So thank you guys again.

Excuse me, sir. Excuse me, sir, Zaire. Could you -- could you cite your stats last season for the record.

Last season. Well, I was coming -- it was my worst season, but, so I had 120 tackles or or something like 19 that. 20

21 Something like that, 125. Let's 22 get a brother a round of applause. 23

No, for 24 sure. Appreciate it, man. Thank you, again.

Thank you. We appreciate all that you have done, and we want to thank you also for giving back. A lot of times we have people that make it out of the city of Philadelphia. You know, they become prominent celebrities, prominent athletes, and don't always come back and give back. And so to Dr. Anthony Phillips, just want to make sure we acknowledge the work that you are doing to acknowledge someone who's contributed to the city of Philadelphia, who has great character on the field, but most importantly, great character off the field. Thank you very much, sir.

Hi, my name is Jeremy Blatstein. Yeah. Yeah. Got that. You like that word.

Can't help yourself, can you?

I mean, come on. You got to throw it in there. My name's Jeremy Blatstein. We're here talking about Councilman J. Young's bill of demolition. It's another one of his crazy bills that isn't -- shouldn't go anywhere. Just like his bill last week that hopefully just dies before it gets assigned to a committee, regarding the zoning bill. Councilman Young got out there last weekend, spewed some lies, saying it won't really affect anything. It will affect a lot of small businesses, and I challenge each of the District members to really take a look at it and just kill it, because this -- it's a three-month thing for zoning bills, but Councilman Young's change to this bill will affect 91 percent of the small businesses in the city of Philadelphia who are trying to start businesses. So I don't -- the quarrelsome contrarian is back at it again. He's a little upset, I think, probably because of his Hahnemann overlay, but it's just something that needs to kind of be squashed. The last thing we're talking about, of course, we're talking about SEPTA. We got some money from the Feds. That's good, right? For World Cup, I think we got $8 million. We get some state money, but we still need funding, right? Call your account -- your house of representative. Call your senator and fund SEPTA. Ride the ride. Thank you.

I'm going to ask the National Association of Black Women in Construction to come stand with me for a minute, please. So, good morning, Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore-Richardson, and distinguished members of City Council. Thank you for your leadership and for opening the doors of City Hall to celebrate the women who build our city. I am Karla Hill, representing NABWIC, the National Association of Black Women in Construction. Before I begin, I must honor our national leadership, our visionary founder, Ms. Ann McNeil, and our national President, Dr. Egheosa Igbinoba, affectionately known as Dr. E to us. We just call her Dr. E. I also want to recognize our leadership from YouthBuild Philly, including Mr. George Jenkins, Director of Construction, and Charles Ware, Senior Director of Vocational Development for the YouthBuild Philly Charter School. This institution is a proud public-sector member of NABWIC, proving that the bridge between education and industry is stronger than ever. I'm also joined today by a delegation that represents the full ecosystem of our work. Our students, these young women: Sanai Bowman, D. Cooper, Kiki Javis, Nini Rodriguez, all between and 20, are old enough 16 to vote, just so you know. And are 17 not just students, they are 18 official members of NABWIC. They are the next generation of Philadelphia's skilled labor force. Our NABWIC members, both the women, including Nicole Clayton Morgan, and our male allies: Robert Barnett, CPA, and John Thomas, who stand together to ensure that equity is reality on every job site. As we celebrate National Women in Construction Week, our mission is to expand our reach and deepen our impact. We are looking to grow this movement. We invite you to join us, whether as public sector partners, corporate sponsors, small business owners, or individual members. Together we can ensure that every woman in the trades has a seat at the table and a hand on the blueprint. To the honorees, you are living textbooks for our students. You prove that a career in the construction industry is a path to power. Thank you, Majority Leader and City Council for building a stronger, more equitable Philadelphia with us. Let's keep building. Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Good afternoon, everyone. Good afternoon, everyone.

Good afternoon.

So my name is Tone Barr. I'm the Community Liaison Director of the Philadelphia Masjid. I proudly serve as the chairman of the leadership team at the Masjid, too. So first and foremost, I want to say, empathetically, two words: thank you, Jamie Gauthier. When you talk about the Philadelphia Masjid, we're much more than khimars, kufis. We're good people, and that's what we want to be known as. Good people. Over the last few years, we have done so much for the community. We started off with a $450,000 scholarship to kids going to -- going to college. Just the history and the legacy, the pioneers that walked through the doors at the Philadelphia Masjid, you know, it's just a rich, deep history, and the only thing that we can really say is thank you. I'm not going to tie up because we got a lot of speakers that's want to speak on this, but empathetically, we just want to say thank you.

Thank you for your service, Mr. Tone Barr.

My name is Brother Safalas from the Philadelphia Masjid. I want to first thank this distinguished body of elected officials for entertaining us and this legislation. I would like to say that this legislation is historic legislation, because when you look at the Philadelphia Masjid, you're actually looking through a lens that has a bigger reality. And that reality is the reality of the Nation of Islam, a community and the organization that was impactful in America that gave America Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Farrakhan. And we know that when we talk about the American Muslim, we know that we're talking about a mosaic fabric that is interwoven in the very American society. Because we talk about Muhammad Ali, he just don't belong to the Muslims; he's part of American history. He's part of world history. When we talk about Malcolm, we're talking about the same. So when we talk about honoring the Philadelphia Masjid, it is not that location on Philadelphia, Masjid Street 4700 in Wyalusing. We're honoring Masjidullah, the Human Center for Excellence. We're honoring Masjid Muhammad where we have Imam Sweet Sedine here, who's the lead of the -- Muslim lead of voters. We're honoring boom down South Philly. Because the fact of the matter is when we talk about the Philadelphia Masjid, all these places come out of this womb. So this is recognition not just for us, but it's recognition for all of the Masjid in the city, it's recognition for history at a time when history is under attack. So this legislation is inspiration because it highlights figures that nobody else can lay claim to. And these figures that come out of the womb of the Philadelphia Masjid, that come out of the womb of the Nation Islam, are historical figures. Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Will Dawood Tony, David Alexander Jenkins, Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu, John Allante McAuley, and Nicole Piusienski, please make your way to the podium.

Good morning. Or I say Assalamu alaikum. Today is a proud and historical moment for our community as we gather to rename the street in honor of Sister Clare Muhammad. This is more than a changing of a street sign. It is a recognition of a legacy, a life of service, and a commitment of uplifting our people through education, faith, and discipline. Sister Clare Muhammad was a pioneer at a time when opportunities for African American children were limited and our communities were searching for empowerment. She stepped forward with vision and courage. She believed that education was a key to self- determination, dignity, and progress. Because of her leadership, schools were established that focus not only on academic excellence, but also on character, culture, and community responsibility. She helped lay the foundation for generations for our people to believe in themselves, the heritage, and strive for greatness. Sister Clara Muhammad, the city of Philadelphia is making a powerful statement. Every person who walks down this block, every child who reads this street sign will be reminded that one dedicated woman helped change the course of education and uplift countless lives. This street will now stand as a symbol, a symbol of faith, knowledge, discipline, and service to the community. Let it remind us that real change begins with people who are willing to work, sacrifice, and believe in a better future for the next generation. To the young people who will grow up seeing this name, let it inspire you. Let it remind you that greatness can come from service, from education, and from dedication to your community. Today, we honor Sister Clara Muhammad/Philadelphia Masjid not only with the street name, but with our commitment to work to get started. Assalamu alaikum.

Alaikum assalam.

Mr. President, members and guests, David Alexander Jenkins and I rise to address 25102 and 250330. The phrase “luxury affordable housing” is filled with the sort of philanthropic pretense that maketh my blood boil. It paints over the very nature of distressed Philadelphians struggling to stay in their homes, if they have homes at all, with wide strokes of magical manure that this administration continues to push, which neither address tangibly the real issues of the people separated from us today by a pane of glass, people pleading with the government for relief. The amendment to Ordinance 17 9-3900 introduced by Councilmember Philips and those submitted by Councilmember Gauthier are astonishing, if not embarrassing, to my ears, because they expose just how haphazardly we place the lives of Philadelphians in anyone whose bids. So I'm thankful someone is paying attention today. Yes, of course, tenants must have access locally to the -- to landlords. Of course, tenants must not be unceremoniously removed from their homes, nor should they be harassed. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondences, duh. But I may just suggest that this work not stop here. Let us focus on the failure to target deep areas of poverty and systems that create homeless folks out of the once housed. You know them: credit checks, for a city filled with those who don't have credit; background checks for people who perhaps experience a little thing called life; proof of income, often three times the rent, in a Philadelphia where 13 percent of its citizens are unbanked and one in five residents' lives below the poverty line. I am reminded, as we open this session with prayer, that we are commanded by a man I call Messiah and others call prophetic to clothe the naked and feed the hungry. Yes, even to house the homeless. If you love me, feed my people. If you love me, come on somebody, tend my flock. Sometimes I think too many of us have abandoned that teaching for a Chinese proverb, you know, and it says, if you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day, but if you teach him the fish, you feed them for a lifetime. And while I'm sure the Savior would be such an education, I have come to remind you that we set forth founding documents in this land based on the command to house, clothe, and feed first, and nowhere, brothers and sisters of love, will be permitted to set conditions on who benefits from such a prophetic command. So Councilmembers, where there are barriers to justice, freedom and peace, barriers to housing, access, food, feed, my people, tend my flock.

Good morning. Assalamu alaikum. My name is Ahmet Tekelioglu. I'm the executive director of Care Philadelphia, a Muslim nonprofit civil rights organization serving our Muslim American communities, making sure that our community is growing justice and indignity in the face of discrimination and Islamophobia. Council President Johnson, thank you. I didn't expect to get a tender rendition here in the room 24 this morning when I walked in. That was wonderful. I see so many of our Muslim leaders: Imam Kenneth, Imam Sweden, and other leaders here in the room. I am here to thank Councilmember Landau and Councilmember O'Rourke for introducing the resolution honoring the life of Nasrallah Abu Siyam, a son of Philadelphia, a 19-year-old teenager who was murdered in West Bank in the hands of Israeli settlers. I also want to thank Councilmember Gauthier for introducing her resolution 17 recognizing Philadelphia Masjid, which is a historical institution, not only for this history of Philadelphia, but all the history of Islam in the United States. To tell you a little bit about Nasrallah, he was 19 years old. He was born here in Philadelphia, an American citizen, and he is the third American citizen killed in this past year in Palestine. Yesterday, we heard from his uncle a story that Nasrallah had a horse called Shams, translated to Sun in English. And he told us that the horse, Shams, Sun, has been uneasy ever since Nasrallah has been murdered, that no one can calm him down. It looks like, you know, he feels that Nasrallah was taken from us. As I conclude, I want to remind us that injustices abroad impact us here. That is why we need to speak with moral clarity in the face of injustice. That's why from Philadelphia to Palestine, we need to uphold justice and hold those disrupting justice accountable. Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning, everybody. 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 regards to Bill 250768, what we have here is more government overreach. I thought Democrats were supposedly the party for unions, a bill championed by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, that will put more than 120 family jobs at risk. I asked, will union workers of IUOE Local 542 still be voting Democrat after they cut your jobs? What I see in Reworld Chester facility is a process that turns waste into energy, giving electricity to more than 51,000 homes a year. Why are Democrats bent on creating problems and then coming up with frivolous solutions to control our life? If we have to use more landfills, property taxes will rise. Your own sanitation department said it will cause taxpayers $6.5 million a year if you force contractors to stop using incinerators. Every day, Councilmembers had their thumbs on the scale, more regulations, more mandates. Conservatives, let businesses thrive. We want you to innovate to the workers and operations, maintenance, engineers, and other related fields. I feel for you because who was fighting for you? This is just another cheap political win for Councilmember Gauthier. Democrats, supposedly the party that hates fossil fuels, but once they eliminate a process that eliminates the use of reliance on fossil fuels, modern plants use filters to minimize emissions, much more than dump -- much more effective than dumping everything into landfills that leach toxins into our groundwater. The city of Philadelphia has more pressing things to worry about. Let's stop the sanctuary cities and let's stop the transgender for everybody. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Thank you, sir. Chief Clerk, please call the next person for testimony. Brother Mars.

Nicole Piusienski.

Good morning, everyone. My name's Nicole Piusienski. I'm a paralegal with the Consumer Housing Unit of Philadelphia Legal Assistance, or PLA for short. I'm here on behalf of PLA to express my support for Councilmember Landau's resolution, declaring the National Consumer Protection Week in the city of Philadelphia. PLA provides free civil legal services to low-income Philadelphians. And with our consumer housing unit, we operate the Savior Home Philly hotline, which serves as the primary point of contact for homeowners of all income levels who are at risk of losing their home or facing another home ownership issue. During my first year at PLA, I worked as a hotline paralegal answering live calls each day and providing legal assistance and advice to over 500 homeowners. Through the hotline, we frequently hear from victims of predatory companies that profit off of targeting homeowners in foreclosure. I currently work in a unit paralegal role where one of my main focuses is assisting clients that face a sheriff sale. This is the final stage of a foreclosure when the home is listed for public auction. Our consumer housing unit provides advice and representation for sheriff sales each month. And in 2025 alone, we assist in preventing over 235 sales. Homeowners are most vulnerable at the point of a sheriff sale, often feeling they have no options remaining to save their home. Many of our clients facing sales have been targeted by predatory companies such as wholesale home buyers and loan modification scams. These companies intentionally present an easy solution to homeowners who are at the end of their rope in dire need of help. Our hotline helps homeowners at all stages of foreclosure, and in the majority of cases we encounter, there is a means to saving the home. Homeowners have access to free resources including HUD certified housing counselors, PLAs Legal Services where predatory companies drive homeowners further away from accessing these resources. Victims of the scams lose hundreds and thousands of dollars without resolving the problem. Councilmember Landau resolution will raise awareness about consumer rights and the importance of protecting not only homeowners but all consumers in Philadelphia. Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Thank you.

Will Bilal Qayyum, Al Madid Sayam, Erin O'Brien McHoffmann, Dishman Frith, and Kimura Anderson, please make your way to the podium.

Good morning, Assalamu alaikum. Ramadan Mubarak for my brothers and sisters in the Islamic community. My name is Bilal Qayyum. I'm here today to support Resolution 260136. I hope I got that right. Can't even recognize my own writing. I'd like to first of all acknowledge and thank the councilwoman Jamie for this action she took. Today, we are in, as you all -- everybody knows, troubled times, particularly as we relate to folks who accept the Islam as a religion. So for this bill is so important for a lot of reasons. Number one, I want to commend Councilmembers for your support. You might not know, but you're making history today. Council President, this is the first street named in the city of Philadelphia after a mas. So you-all are making history today. You're history makers all the time doing it today. And I just want to say that a lot of folks didn't talk about -- they did mention about the school, Clara Muhammad School, I believe, was started in 1974 or '75, has over thousands of young people who have attended and have graduated from that school, and a lot of them are non-Muslims. Matter of fact, Councilman President, I believe your chief of staff was one of the graduates. I'm sitting there looking at him. There's been a lot of my friends who are very successful in their life because they did go to Clara Muhammad. They got a degree and moved on in their life and a lot of them are doing great work. So I'm asking you today to vote, get this street name and I will end, Councilman Jones and Councilman there, our president, he opened up the door. So we may be wanting to give him a jihada after council is over. Thank you.

Very well said, brother Bilal Qayyum, and thank you for your service to the city of Philadelphia as well.

Thank you. Assalamu alaikum. My name is Abdul Hamid Siyam. I am the uncle of the deceased Nasrallah Abu Siyam. Nasrallah Abu Siyam is a Palestinian American, but he's not the first nor he will be the last. There are five Palestinian Americans were killed since February, 2024. And there are 117 killed outside being American -- Palestinian Americans. 1,117 killed since October 7th in the West Bank. I'm not talking about Gaza, which lost 72,000 and a 170 -- 1,000 were wounded. I'm talking about the West Bank. So if we don't stand with Palestinian Americans who are murdered by the settlers, then everyone is vulnerable. I want to say that I spend all my life with the United Nations as a staff and as a journalist. I am still accredited journalist to the United Nations. I spent my life on international law. Security Council passed Resolution 23 -- 34 on 24 December, 2016, last few days of Obama, calling the settlements are illegal and should be stopped. ICJ also passed a legal opinion on July, 2024 calling 7 settlements are illegal and it 8 should be banned. And calling on 9 Israel to dismantle its occupation. 10 You don't know what it means to 11 live under occupation. You don't 12 know what these settlers are doing. 13 They are killing us. They're 14 stealing our land. They're 15 stealing our goats. With this 16 attack on Nasrallah and killing 17 him, they stole 350 goats from the village. They also destroyed 71 olive trees. I want to say, my friends, that when justice is attacked, silence is treason. We should stand -- the power of law or the law of power. We should stand together and pressure all those elected officials to stand with justice. None one single Palestinian American killed has been -- has been investigated. Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Good morning, Council President, members of City Council and Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore-Richardson. My name is Erin O'Brien Hofmann and I'm a proud union painter with District Council of 16 the International Union of Painters 17 and Allied Trades, where I serve as 18 the Director of Member Engagement, 19 the coordinator for WINC, Women in 20 Non-Traditional Careers 21 pre-apprenticeship program. And I am honored to stand here today in support of this resolution recognizing Women in Construction Week. For many years, construction was seen as a field where women just didn't belong. Today, that is changing. And it is changing because we are intentionally creating pathways and opportunities. Through programs like WINC, we introduce women to careers in skilled trades and provide the training, mentorship, and support that they need to succeed. What we see is powerful. Women building confidence, building careers and building a better future for their families. These are careers that provide family sustaining wages, strong benefits and long-term stability. When we invest in women entering into the Philadelphia Union building trades, we strengthen our workforce, our unions and our communities. Thank you to Councilwoman Gilmore-Richardson for recognizing Women in Construction Week and for helping to elevate the incredible women who are helping build Philadelphia every single day. Thank you.

Hello. Butch Bennett, but my name is Desmond Frith, and I will be speaking on his behalf today. Thank you. Thank you, Councilmembers and Council President, for allowing me to speak on his behalf today in support of Women in Construction Week. The Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council is an umbrella organization for more than 50-member local unions that work in the construction industry in the greater Philadelphia region. Within these local unions, there are great career opportunities with great benefits, as well as long lasting connections to be made for women in these trades. Being a woman in the trades allows for one to hold a job and title that will give you pride and dignity, speaking from experience. Thank you and have a great day.

Thank you.

Will Leslie K. Whitby, Charles Freeman, Roseanne Milanes, Basam Keyed and Sael Keyed, please make your way to the podium.

Please proceed.

Good morning, Council President, members of City Council and fellow residents of the city of Philadelphia. My name is Kimura Anderson and I proudly stand before you serving as the President of the National Association of Women in Construction, Philadelphia Chapter 4 145. I also work as the Director of Human Resources and Union Affairs for Clements Construction Company. I happily spend my career advocating for workforce development, opportunities, inclusion within the male dominated construction field. I stand before you today respectfully asking for the support and encouragement for the city of Philadelphia to officially recognize the first week in March during Women's History Month as the National Association of Women in Construction, Women in Non-Traditional Careers, National Association of Black Women in Construction and Professional Women in Construction Week. This recognition is important -- excuse me -- because it shines light on thousands of women who are contributing every single day to industries that have historically been male dominated. Women across Philadelphia are working as carpenters, electricians, engineers, project managers, superintendents, safety professionals, and a host of other positions. While progress has been made, women still represent a small percentage in the construction workforce nationally. Recognition from this council help send a powerful message to our young women and girls throughout Philadelphia, saying to them, there is a place for you in this -- in one of these careers. When we acknowledge women in construction and non-traditional careers, we are doing more than just celebrating individuals. We are encouraging the workforce development community, promoting economic opportunities, and expanding pathways to family sustaining careers. Thank you to Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore-Richardson for her continued support every year on this initiative, and we appreciate the support of City Council. Thank you so much.

Good morning to everyone, and happy Women in Construction Week. I am Leslie K. Whitby and I'm speaking on behalf of Women in Construction -- sorry, Women in Construction Week resolution. I'd like to thank Council President Johnson for the opportunity to speak and to thank Councilmember Gilmore-Richardson for introducing this resolution. I'm honored to serve as the President of Professional Women in Construction Philadelphia Chapter. I'm also proud to be a founding board member in this incredible organization. About nine years ago, I realized something important. In a -- in a region as vibrant and innovative as Philadelphia, there wasn't a professional organization from women in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry that truly met my professional and personal needs. I wanted a space where women could connect, support one another, and grow together in an industry we are -- where we are still minority. So instead of waiting for that organization to exist, we decided to create it. In 2018 with the help of passionate and diverse group of professional women, we launched the Philadelphia Chapter of Professional Women in Construction. From the very beginning, our vision was simple but powerful. Every woman has a story to share, whether you're just beginning your career or you're a seasoned professional. Each of us brings unique experiences, perspectives, and strengths to this industry. Women in construction may still be the minority, but our voices are stronger than ever and they continue to grow. At PWC Philadelphia, our mission is to connect, promote and advance women in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. We do that by bringing together both women and men from across architecture, engineering and construction and affiliated firms through educational programs, networking opportunities and meaningful conversations that help move our industry forward. But what makes this -- but what makes this organization truly special is the -- sorry. Professional Women in Construction is a platform where people build relationships, expand their networks and support one another in careers. It's a place where mentorship happens and opportunities create and lasting friendships are formed. Thank you.

Good morning, Council President Johnson and City Council. My name is Charles Freeman and I'm here to represent Bill 250843. I'd like your idea, Councilman Johnson, about locking the dumpsters. I live in the 3rd Division, 11th Ward, 8th Councilmanic District, where we have constantly people putting trash out that they know that the sanitation boys will not pick up. And I really wholeheartedly support the first step that you're taking to lock this trash business down. I've never seen a city being defeated by trash, and we need more input. I suggest that if the sanitation boys don't pick up this illegal trash, they should call it in themselves. And that will help us reel in who these people are and help us keep this city clean. I've been a volunteer of you for over 50 years, playing in this trash. And I definitely support your Bill 250843, and I hope that we can work together and get stronger so that we can keep this city clean. And I thank you.

Thank you. Mr. Charles Freeman, just real quick. I would love to take credit for it because you've given a lot of good accolades, but the author of the bill is Councilmember Mark Squilla. Mark Squilla, could you just be acknowledged that that's your bill. Okay, sir.

Thank you, Mark.

Thank you, Mark Squilla.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir. Keep up the good work. Thank you.

Good afternoon. My name is Roseanne Milanes and I'm the Director of Guardianship Grand Families and Victim Services at Senior Law Center. Senior Law Center is a nonprofit public interest law firm seeking justice for older people by using the power of the law, educating the community, and advocating on local, state, and national levels. Thank you for allowing us to comment on Councilmember Landau's resolution declaring this first week in March as National Consumer Protection Week in the city of Philadelphia. Elder abuse and financial exploitation cross every racial, ethnic and social economic line. In 2024, older adults aged 60 and older in the US lost $4.8 billion, the largest amount of any of the other age groups. In 2024, Pennsylvania, consumers of all ages lost the most to investment scams, business imposters and romance scams. Senior Law Center understands the devastation the older adult population faces when they're financially exploited. Many older adults are on fixed income, paying for mortgages or rent, healthcare and medication expenses, daily living expenses, and sometimes caring for their grandchildren and great- grandchildren. For some older adults, being taken advantage of is not just about losing money; it means waiting for their next monthly social security or pension check to be able to pay for their housing, to pay for a meal or to pay for vital medication. To address this crisis, Senior Law Center provides legal services to older Philadelphians to intervene and stop abuse and financial exploitation. We do this through reporting fraud or identity theft, reviewing bank statements and contacting those financial institutions, placing fraud alerts and credit freezes, filing claims to recover stolen funds and filing quiet title actions where there is deed fraud. We also link older adults to other resources and supportive services. Again, with the billions of dollars lost to fraud and identity theft each year, and with the largest proportion of loss coming from the older adult population, we welcome bringing awareness, education, and support from our local leaders. Thank you.

Will, Lisa Haver, Sister Talia, Kalisa Harris and Alex Pezanowski please make your way to the podium. MALE VOICE 1: No paper, no phone. I'm speaking straight from the heart. This is my nephew, Nasrallah Abu Siyam, killed the first day of Ramadan, February 18th, by illegal settlers that come onto our village, try to occupy our land, steal our sheep, burn our homes, burn our cars. All we wanted was justice for my nephew. As a Philadelphia native, he had his whole life ahead of him at the age of 19, and all we wanted for him is to live a good life. His horse, which he rode every single day, now refuses to take any riders. That horse, which is an animal, is also in mourning for its owner. All we want is justice, and hopefully, hopefully we get justice from my nephew, where I can be able to call his mom and dad, who are mourning every single day, and tell them that we got justice for your son. Thank you. MALE VOICE 2: Good afternoon, Councilman and city of Philadelphia. Seems like a lot of great resolutions have been passed today. Congratulations. I want to thank the council and specifically Councilman O'Rourke and Landau for passing the resolution for my cousin Nasrallah Abu Siyam, who was murdered in Palestine. This is the unfortunate history in Palestine for over 80 years now. Constant death every single day. They come to our villages, whether it's Israeli settlers or Israeli soldiers, and just do whatever they want. Whether it's a checkpoint that stopped my cousin from getting to the hospital in time over two hours and just bled to death. We as Americans, where we're giving billions of dollars to the Israeli government to kill our people in Palestine, whether they're Palestinian or American citizens, we need to put an end to this. And I think if people rise up and are aware of what their money is going to and actually have a real boycott against this state of Israel, that's committing a holocaust in Gaza and has been ongoing killing for over 80 years, they don't see Palestinians as equal to them. They see us as animals. They're calling out in the public for the death and killing of the Palestinian people. So I would hope the people of Philadelphia and in the US rise up and divest from anything to do with Israel, whether it's financial, whether it's, you know, entertainment, art. We need to really take a stance. And I think that if we divest and put Israel in its place, that we can have, like we had in South Africa, justice, but we need to take a stance. It starts at the council level, then it goes to the Congress level, and from there, and I think with the people rising, we can bring about change in the -- in Palestine. And don't let anybody fool you. This is a Muslim-Arab issue between Jews. We have a lot of Jewish people that stand for Palestine, that stand for justice, and it's, as the great Martin Luther King said, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Thank you so much.

Good morning. Thank you. My name is Lisa Haver. I'm here on behalf of the Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools. And I sent to all the Councilmembers this week a report from the alliance -- sorry, got to pick up the monstrosity -- about something called Accelerating Opportunity. The School District of Philadelphia's facilities master plan. There's a lot of shocking things about that plan, but the title of our article was Nobody Wants This, They Don't Care. And that is absolutely true because every meeting that APPS members went to, I know the Councilmembers went to, you never heard anybody say, I'm in favor of closing this school. Keep in mind, please, that there were only meetings on school closures. There are a ton of grade band changes where schools going from a K-5 to a K-4, or a K-5 to a K-8. There were no meetings at any of those schools. I have friends who still teach in some of those schools. They didn't know anything about it. The meetings were all wrapped up. And they got an email the day after last week's board meeting saying, we just want to let you know that when the board votes on this, which by all indications will be in about three weeks, your school has been slated for grade band change. Nobody said they wanted it. Nobody got to have a meeting to say, I'm not sure about this. It's done. It's a shocking, shocking plan. I want to thank the Councilmembers who came last week. I want to especially thank Councilmember Bass, who was sick, and Councilmember Gauthier, who was there till the bitter end and saw me and some other APPS members testify in the wee small hours of Friday morning. I'm going to be here. You know I'll be here. I would love to talk to any of you, all of you, about this. But it is a shocking plan for many, many reasons. And I think the main reason is it treats the students as collateral damage. There is not a single reason open to any page. There is no reason for them to do what they're doing to any school. Thank you very much. Thank you.

You have two minutes. State your name for the record please.

Peace and blessings. Assalamu alaikum. Ramadan Mubarak, everyone. First, I want to say thank you to City Council and also special thank you to Councilwoman Gauthier for even recognizing the Philadelphia Masjid and all the hard work and being a part of the growth and the resilience of the Masjid. My name is Sister Talia Taylor, president of the City of Dreams Coalition, and also Director of Community Engagement at Level Up Philly. I rise today in support of the resolution of recognizing the 4,700 block of Wyalusing Avenue as the Philadelphia Masjid Way. This recognition is important because institutions like the Philadelphia Masjid on the 4,700 block of Wyalusing Avenue have been anchors in our community for generations. More than 50 years, it has been a place where faith, discipline, service, and leadership has been cultivated. In neighborhoods like ours, these spaces are more than places of worship. They are places where young people find directions, families find support, and communities find unity. Naming this block Philadelphia Match Your Way is not just about a street sign, it is about honoring a legacy of faith, resilience, and service that has helped shape West Philadelphia. It recognizes the elders who have built this foundation as these beautiful jewels right here that basically raised me. But it recognizes the elders who built this foundation and the generations of young Muslims who will continue to carry it forward. At City of Dreams Coalition, our mission is to meet people where they are and help them rise. Institutions like the Masjid have been doing that work quietly and faithfully for decades. Today we acknowledge the impact and ensure that its legacy is permanently reflected in the fabric of our city. Thank you to Councilwoman Gauthier, City Council, Councilman Curtis Jones, for all the work he has done amongst the Muslim population and recognizing the value of this history for uplifting the communities that continue to make Philadelphia strong. Thank you so much. Assalamu alaikum.

Assalamu alaikum. Ramadan Mubarak. Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Kalisa Harris and I'm honored to stand before you today, not just as a speaker for the youth, but as a secretary of the Muslim Student Association at the luxurious first Black HBCU, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. Today's recognition of Philadelphia Masjid way is more than just naming of a street. It is a celebration of faith, active service, and community. For over 50 years, this Masjid has stood as a place of worship, guidance, and unity for countless individuals and families. It has nurtured generations with values of compassion, discipline, education, and commitment to serving others. Additionally, the Philadelphia Masjid has also played a huge part in guiding the youth to Islamic way of life. Lastly, I don't just stand here as an advocate for Muslims; I stand here to speak for the youth. Thank you.

Thank you.

Will Ogbonna Hagins, James Aye and Mona Baishya. Please make your way to the podium.

Hello. My name is Alex Pezanowski. I spoke here before letting these guys know that I've been targeted by the Philadelphia Police Department and other government entities. And this is pertaining to, you know, what everybody is talking about with Palestine and ICE and everything. I just feel as though it's unfair that you guys are having more of a --

How are you doing, Alex? The bill 6 that say you're speaking on focuses on property acquire certain parcels to be released to the Philadelphia School district. So could you speak on topic?

Not really because it's just unfair that you guys just keep targeting me and there was a whole news report about how you guys want to focus on getting ICE out of Philadelphia. But you guys are following me around all day every day. I just got arrested for --

I'm just trying to get you to speak on the topic.

I'm just saying I got arrested for, you know, this ordeal that you guys have brought on --

But I also say this, sir, I'm just doing protocol following Council agenda. But just hear me out. Just hear me out. If you want somebody to talk to you about your issue directly, I have one of my staff pull you to the side and we can get to the bottom of the actual issue you're talking about. Okay. Understood. Thank you, sir. Mr. Ogbonna Hagins, please come up please. I understand, beloved. Have a good one. God bless. Mr. Ogbonna Hagins, please begin your remarks, sir.

Good morning, everyone. I'm a fourth-generation chattel slavery survivor, and my name is Ogbonna Hagins. I reviewed Bill 251025, introduced by Councilmember Driscoll, regulating the direction of traffic on Ryan Avenue between Leon Street and Frankford Avenue. Traffic regulation is a basic responsibility of city government.

Please begin, sir.

Traffic regulations is a basic responsibility of city government. Streets must function safely and the city has the authority to determine how traffic moves through its neighborhoods. But when we talk about regulating streets in Philadelphia, we also have to acknowledge the broader system of parking enforcement that shapes how those streets function every day. That system is the Philadelphia parking authority. For years, the state control PPA 23 has extracted millions of dollars 24 from Philadelphia residents through tickets, boots, tolls, suspensions, often from neighborhoods least able to absorb it. Now, let me recenter this directly to the subject of this bill, the city regulation of its streets. Because while the city determines how streets operate, a state authority controls the parking enforcement, the parking enforcement systems that operate on those same streets, and collects the revenue from it. And guess what? Philadelphia doesn't get it. That arrangement has existed for decades without local accountability and without any obligation to reinvest those revenues in communities that paid them. Nothing in law prevents this city from reclaiming control of its own parking authority. Nothing in law prevents you from doing it. And if you want to know how you can do it, you can contact my organization. We should want that revenue back in the city, right? And contact the Philadelphia Reparations Coalition for American Freemen and we can consult you on how to get -- I think it's like $250 million or more that the state gets that could be coming to Philadelphia. I think that money should be spent right here. It could be much well spent here in the city of Philadelphia that produces all that revenue. If you want any information, I have flyers here that you can read about our political wellness checker --

Thank you, sir.

-- that we're having to discuss this very issue. Thank you.

Thank you very much, sir.

Ogbonna Hagins. Over and out.

Thank you, sir.

Hey, good afternoon, Councilmembers. First, I do want to thank Council President for allowing us here. But I want to do a special thank you to Councilmembers Gauthier and Phillips for our work and giving us the citation today. But also, because this is Women's History Month, I'm not a fan of taking up space for women. So what I want to do is I want to introduce one of my colleagues, Mona, who's going to talk a little bit more about YEAH Philly. So I appreciate you all.

I wanted to touch on some of my experiences since I've started working with YEAH Philly.

Could you -- could you say your name for the record, please?

Oh, yeah. Dr. Mona Baishya, VCI Research Director at YEAH Philly. I wanted to touch on some of my experiences that I've -- since I've started working with YEAH Philly, specifically with what I personally experienced regarding GPS and probation. I've heard the phrase duplication of services many times in the six short months that I've been at YEAH as the research director. What does that mean? It assumes that the things YEAH Philly wants to do are being done by probation. YEAH Philly looks at core needs, addresses them. And this includes things like court advocacy, getting young people enrolled back in school, connecting them with mental health resources, job resources, literacy resources, buying clothing, making sure families have food and beds and better living conditions. And now I just want to share one anecdote. I have a lot of anecdotes, but this is the one that came to mind when I was thinking about what I wanted to say today. I don't get to handle a lot of cases directly, simply because my role is to manage the data and keep a tether to all the young people who are at the VCI, the Violent Crimes Initiative. But it was important for me to learn what case management looked like. So I had a caseload of one, Jamar. Jamar is a great young person. His mom makes amazing banana pudding and somehow she found out that I had a doctorate through one of our community partners. And at this point in our relationship, she calls me Doc Big Sis, which warms my heart every time I hear it. Jamar was on probation and GPS when he came to YEAH and Jamar came to YEAH looking for ways to earn money. He held a job, he regularly goes to school. We would go to his court dates, his PO would show up and barely say hi, and it honestly felt avoidant. Jamar would tell me that his PO never answered his phone. So what was the function of probation in this case? Just to check in on court dates. No other "how are you doing," and "what do you need?" Do you think his PO knows that Jamar likes R&B and plays basketball? And do you think that his PO knows about his mother's banana pudding? The difference between how we move at -- how we at YEAH move and probation moves is exactly this. We show our young people love, real love. The Ralph Bradley kind of love, the Daniel Loeb kind of love, the Corey Curtis kind of love, Kamal Pet kind of love, the James A. kind of love. Kendra, Paris, Nafis, or Ramirez, the "big doc sis" kind of love, the YEAH Philly kind of love. Thank you.

Thank you.

Council President, this concludes our listing for public comment for today.

Thank you very --

Thank you.

Thank you very much. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the second reading and final passage calendar. Will the chief clerk, please read the title of Resolution 8 No. 260136.

A resolution 10 also naming the 4,700 block of Wyalusing Avenue as Philadelphia Masjid Way in recognition of over 50 years of faith, service, leadership, and community excellence.

The Chair recognizes the Councilmember Jamie Gauthier for motion regarding Resolution No. 20 260136.

Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution.

Second.

It has been moved and properly seconded that the Resolution No. 5 260136 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye.

Aye.

Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion carries, the resolution 12 is adopted. Will the clerk please read the title of the Resolution No. 15 260139?

A resolution 17 calling on the PA General Assembly to take swift and decisive action to pass Pennsylvania Senate Bill 20 110, known as Brian's Law, to amend the Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefits Act to extend line-of-duty death benefits to surviving spouses and children of first responders who die from job-related trauma, including PTSI- related suicide, ensuring equitable treatment for their families.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones for a motion regarding Resolution No. 260139.

Thank you, Mr. President. And it does not fall on deaf ears that we had a major fire in the city of Philadelphia in my district on Hazelhurst Street, where nine first responder firemen were hospitalized. So post-traumatic stress, whatever these provision that you put forth, it will address that. I move for the adoption. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.

Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded. The Resolution No. 260139 be adopted. All those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.

6 Those opposed? The ayes have it. 7 The motion carries. The resolution 8 is adopted. 9 Will the clerk please read 10 the title of Bill No. 250843? 11

An ordinance 12 amending Chapter 10-700 of the 13 Philadelphia Code, entitled Refuse 14 and Littering to require locking 15 dumpsters, all under certain terms 16 and conditions. 17

18 The Chair recognizes Councilmember 19 Mark Squilla for a motion. 20

21 Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like 22 to offer an amendment to Bill No. 23 250843. A copy of amendment has 24 been circulated to all members of Council. I move for the adoption of the amendment. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.

It has been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to Bill 7 No. 250843 be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.

Those opposed? The ayes have it, and the bill has been amended. This bill will be placed with the final passage calendar for our next session of Council. Would the clerk please be the title of Bill No. 250917.

An ordinance 20 amending Section 14-529 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled 5th District Overlay District to provide for building requirements to prevent vacant lots, all under certain terms and conditions.

The Chair recognizes the Councilmember Young for a motion.

Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to offer an amendment to Bill 8 No. 250917. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council, and I move for the adoption of the amendment. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.

It has been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to Bill 16 No. 250917 be adopted. All in favor will signify by saying aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.

Those opposed? The ayes have it, and the bill has been amended. This bill will be placed on our final passage calendar for the next session of Council. Will the clerk please read the title of Bill No. 250980?

An ordinance 4 amending chapter 9-3900 of the Philadelphia Code, entitled Property Licenses and Owner Accountability by requiring non-resident landlords to provide verifiable contact information, and a designated local contact, and establishing penalties for non-compliance, all under certain terms and conditions.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Anthony Phillips for a motion.

Thank you, Council President. I would like to offer an amendment to Bill No. 250980. A copy of the amendment has been circulated to all members of Council. I move for the adoption of the amendment. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.

It has been moved and properly seconded that the amendment to Bill 4 No. 250980 be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.

Those opposed? The ayes have it, and the bill has been amended. This bill will be placed on our final passage calendar for our next session of Council. The clerk will now read any additional resolutions on today's calendar.

A privileged resolution, honoring and recognizing --

Council will be at ease. The Chair recognizes Councilman Nicholas O'Rourke.

Thank you.

Then Councilmember Rue Landau.

Thank you, Mr. President. Just step up for a second. I want to be voted, aye, for all bills I may have missed while stepping out.

It shall be recorded voting aye on all bills and resolutions for Mr. O'Rourke.

Sorry. Please record me as voting aye on all bills and resolutions.

It shall be recorded voting aye on all bills and resolutions. Councilmember Brooks?

Same, Council President, I would like to be voted, aye, on all bills and resolutions.

Will be recorded as voting aye on all bills and resolutions. Chief Clerk, please resume.

A privileged resolution, honoring and recognizing Shelice's Angels for its work empowering young women by expanding their horizons, building self-esteem, and providing resources, mentorship, and exposure to opportunities beyond their immediate environments introduced by Councilmember Phillips.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Anthony Phillips for a motion on the resolution.

Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution will be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.

Anybody opposed? The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.

A privileged resolution Honoring and recognizing Youth Empowerment for Advancement Hangout, YEAH Philly, for its work, advancing community-based violence prevention, youth leadership, and healing-centered engagement with black youth in Philadelphia, introduced by Councilmember Phillips.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember, Dr. Anthony Phillips for a motion on the resolution.

I move for the adoption of the resolution. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.

Anyone opposed? The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Will Chief Clerk, please read the title of the next resolution?

A privileged resolution congratulating and honoring the Deborah Grand Chapter 20 of the Order of the Eastern Star during Women's History Month for 126 years of women-led service to the city of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, introduced by Councilmember Gilmore-Richardson on behalf of Council President Johnson.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore- Richardson for a motion.

Thank you, Mr. President. On your behalf, I move for the adoption of the resolution. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.

Those opposed? The ayes have it, and the Resolution is adopted. Chief Clerk, please read the title of the next resolution?

A privileged resolution recognizing March 1st through the 7th 2026, during Women's History Month as Women in Construction Week in the city of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilmember Gilmore-Richardson.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Majority the Katherine Gilmore- Richardson for a motion on the resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of all the women in construction, I move for the adoption of the resolution. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor will signify by saying aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.

Anyone opposed? The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Chief Clerk, please read the title of the next resolution?

A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Incorporated Pennsylvania Chapter NC100 BWPA on their annual legislative day, and for their dedication to advancing gender and racial equity, and empowering Black women during Women's History Month, introduced by Councilmember Jones.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jones for motion on the -- on the resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move for its adoption. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.

Anyone opposed? The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Would Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution?

A privileged resolution declaring March 1st through the 7th as National Consumer Protection Week in the city of Philadelphia, introduced by Councilmember Landau.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Rue Landau for a motion on the resolution.

Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.

Anyone opposed? The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Chief Clerk, please read title for the next resolution.

A privileged resolution honoring the life of Nasrallah Abu Siyam, a Palestinian- Philadelphian who was fatally shot in the village of Mukhmas in the occupied West Bank on the first day of Ramadan, introduced by Councilmember Landau.

The Chair recognizes Councilman Rue Landau for a motion on the resolution.

Thank you, Council President. I co-introduced this with Councilmember O'Rourke, and I move for the adoption. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.

Anyone opposed? The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Chief Clerk, please read the title for the next resolution?

A privileged resolution celebrating Cecilia Thompson, Dolores Brown Waters, Yvonne Hughes, Isley Laverne Baskerville, and Black women fighting for disability justice and accessibility for all across Philadelphia on the occasion of Women's History Month, introduced by Councilmember Brooks.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Brooks for motion on the resolution.

Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.

Anyone opposed? The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Chief Clerk, please read the title for the next resolution?

A privileged resolution proclaiming the month of March, 2026 as Irish Heritage Month in the city of Philadelphia, and honoring Daniel J. Hilferty for his commitment to advancing the Irish American community and service as the Grand Marshal leading the 254th St. Patrick's Day parade on March 15th, 2026, introduced by Councilmember Driscoll on behalf of Council President Johnson.

The Chair recognizes Councilman Michael Driscoll for a motion on the resolution.

I move for the adoption of the resolution. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.

Anyone opposed? The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Chief Clerk, please read the title for the next resolution.

A privileged resolution honoring and recognizing the life and legacy of Henrietta Lacks during Women's History Month, and further commending the Lack's family for their advocacy in reaching historic settlements with pharmaceutical companies, and helping to advance national conversations about medical ethics, racial equity, and patient's rights, introduced by Councilmember Bass.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Bass for a motion on the resolution.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. COUNCILMEMBERS: Second.

It has been moved and properly seconded that the resolution be adopted. All those in favor signify by saying aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.

Anyone opposed? The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Will the Chief Clerk please read the title of the next resolution.

There are no 17 further resolutions in my possession, Council President.

Thank you very much. Are there any speeches on behalf of the minority? The Chair recognizes Councilmember Kendra Brooks.

Thank you, Council President. Today is our first stated meeting of Women's History Month, and I am continuing my office's tradition of honoring women who are making history right here in Philadelphia. I introduced a resolution 8 today to recognize Black women leading the fight for more accessible city for all of us. I spent much of my career focused on people with disabilities. And now firsthand, I'm getting -- I know firsthand that getting basic accommodations, accommodations that are guaranteed by federal law is far more difficult than it should be. People with disabilities are ignored, dismissed, and discriminated against on a regular basis. That is the reality in Philadelphia. And these women have refused to accept this as the status quo. They have spent their lives standing up for their children, their loved ones, and all Philadelphians with disabilities. They are making history, just like many Black women before them, by securing resources for our communities, holding powerful people accountable, and demanding justice. I'm so proud to kick off this Women's History month by honoring and celebrating Cecilia Thompson, Dolores Brown Waters, Ivan Hughes, and Isley Laverne Baskerville. I also want to thank my colleagues who are planning to attend this evening's people's hearing on reproductive health. We -- as we reflect on everything that women have fought for and won in the past, we must pay attention to what women are going through right now. Health clinics are closing, Medicaid is being cut, and people in our communities are facing the consequences. We will hear about this directly from Philadelphians at tonight's hearing. I'm looking forward to seeing many of you there. We are at capacity for enrollment, so I ask folks, if you're interested in tuning in, please feel free to tune in via livestream on our Facebook@councilmemberkendrabrooks. Thank you so much.

Thank you very much. The speech is on behalf of the majority. The Chair recognizes Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore-Richardson.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. Today, as I do each year during Women's History Month, I introduced a resolution recognizing March 1st through March 7th, as Women in Construction Week here in the city of Philadelphia. Women in Construction Week aims to amplify, educate, and inspire current and future generations of women to join and excel in the construction trades, something you all know that I care deeply about. In that spirit, I wanted to take a moment to recognize some of the individuals and organizations who were here with us today, and thank them for their ongoing support. Of course, we had Erin O'Brien-Hofmann from DC21, National Association of Women in Construction, represented by Kimora Anderson, the Philadelphia Chapter 22 of Professional Women in Construction, represented by Leslie Whitby, the National Association of Black Women in Construction, who I had an opportunity to share a time with last Saturday, represented by Carla Hill, who was also joined today by Youth Build Philadelphia. And of course, the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, represented by Ms. Frith, who was representing Butch Bennett on behalf of Local 98 and the laborers and all of the Philadelphia Building and Construction's Trade Council. I have to shout out, of course, the carpenters who continue to do great work. And finally, the Philadelphia Council of the AFLCIO. I appreciate each and every one of you for joining us today. We have additional activities once Council concludes. We're looking forward to a good time. Secondly, Council President, I wanted to mention for my colleagues, and particularly for our district colleagues, that today, I'm continuing to build on the ongoing work to address quality of life issues here in our city in meaningful and in lasting ways, and particularly, as it relates to the illegal smoke shops that we are plagued with here in the city of Philadelphia. You know that I've said this time and time again, these businesses have been fueling crime, they operate without community approval, they are exposing our young people to some dangerous products that we don't even know what's inside of these products. And they're really, really holding our neighborhoods and our commercial corridors back. And for years, I've worked with many members of this legislative body to strengthen enforcement and crack down on these establishments. And we have made meaningful and important progress, and I appreciate the work that we all have continued to do. But we know that our work is far from complete. So today, I introduced two new pieces of legislation. And I want to thank, in particular, my colleague who has worked with us on this legislation from day one, Councilmember Brian O'Neill, and for all the help and support of his team, and his legislative staff. If you don't know, he is a zoning guru. He knows everything about zoning in the city of Philadelphia. So thank you to him and to his team. Also, to my colleague, Councilmember J. Young, who has been working tirelessly in his district on this issue, as well as Councilmember Jones, my district Councilmember, who has been working on this, I know since 2021, since that tour in North 54th. And then also Councilmember Dr. Anthony Phillips, who has worked very closely with my office. And finally, I must mention Councilmember Cindy Bass, who has done a lion share of this work prior to me being a member of City Council. But the two new pieces of legislation would establish accountability for commercial landlords who rent illegal smoke shops and create a definition of intoxicating substances in our Philadelphia Code, including Hemp products and Kratom.

The first bill, the Illegal Smoke Shop Accountability bill is modeled after similar successful enforcement legislation used in New York City, and it would add a new section to our Philadelphia Code, allowing the city to take action against commercial landlords who knowingly allow illegal smoke shops to operate in their properties. The second bill, the Intoxicating Substances Bill, would add a new section to the Philadelphia Code that creates definitions for intoxicating substances for Hemp-derived products and for Kratom. And it clarifies the city's current rule that products with intoxicating substances are considered adulterated and cannot be sold until they are considered safe by the Food and Drug Administration. And it will create an intoxicating substance retailer license, limiting where these FDA-approved products can be sold, and ensuring that as a city we know who's selling them, and where they're selling these products. It also sets a and over age limit 5 for the sale of these products. 6 And so together, these two 7 new pieces of legislation will 8 really strengthen our enforcement 9 mechanisms and ensure that we are 10 using every tool in our toolbox to 11 continue to make our community 12 safer and support their long-term 13 wellbeing. 14 And I look forward to 15 continuing to work with my Council 16 colleagues to hold these bad actors 17 accountable, and to ensure our 18 neighborhoods are places where 19 families, businesses, and 20 communities can grow and thrive. 21 And I wanted to mention on the record for our district colleagues that this legislation, the second bill, was derived from and modeled after the medical marijuana legislation that was introduced by Councilmember Jones. And so if you read the text version of the bill as introduced, you will see that it's modeled directly off of that bill, which is why our office reached out to every district Councilmember in writing yesterday to know -- so you know that we are ready, willing, able, and prepared to work with each of you to ensure that the corridors you would like addressed in the legislation will be addressed. But I don't want you to think that we were just looking at, you know, the 4th, the 5th and the 10th, it's just that the legislation was modeled off of other legislation in the code, and so now we'll work through that process as we move hopefully towards the hearing phase and alternate passage of the legislation. So thank you very much, colleagues. Thank you, Council President, and our work certainly continues.

Thank you. Good work. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Anthony Phillips.

Thank you, Council President. As I stated earlier, we were able to honor Zaire Franklin, NFL Pro baller, for his incredible work in the city of Philadelphia. His mother was a stalwart in his life, and he honored her by creating a foundation that empowers young women. So we want to continue to push him to do great things. I would be remiss if I didn't mention something important about Zaire. As I noted earlier, he's a graduate La Salle College High School, and as someone who also went to La Salle, I feel obligated in the interest of full transparency to note that some of the best people come from there. And I mean, look at the evidence. An NFL player giving back to the community, and now myself introduced a resolution about it, I think Brown O'Neil would agree. So -- but all seriousness, thank you, Zaire, for all the work that you do. The second resolution 18 recognizes, YEAH Philly, Youth Empowerment for Advancement Hangout, for their work, advancing community-based violence prevention and youth leadership, founded by Kendra Van Day Water, and James Aye. YEAH Philly provides safe spaces, mentorship, workforce opportunities, and healing-centered support for young people, ages 4 to 24, who have been impacted by 5 violence. 6 They serve hundreds of 7 young people each year, helping 8 them resolve conflicts and create 9 pathways towards the stability and 10 opportunity. 11 I also want to acknowledge 12 Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, who 13 is the primary co-sponsor of this 14 resolution since YEAH Philly 15 operates in the 3rd Councilmanic District. We're grateful for her partnership and leadership. Colleagues, these organizations represent the very best of Philadelphia, particularly in West Philadelphia and southwest Philadelphia. People are showing up and investing in our youth, and building stronger communities every day. I ask for your support, and I thank you for your support of Shelice's Angels, and YEAH Philly for the important work they're doing to improve the next generation leaders. And I also want to quickly acknowledge and thank our senior policy director who is celebrating two years with me today. And we've been doing some really good stuff together. I'm looking forward. Her name is Cykhira Walton, as you all know here. And so we're looking forward to continuing the good work together. So thank you.

I hope she get a raise on Women's History Month. We need -- we need more than just, oh, she was great for two years.

You got me good there.

Hey.

I'm done. All right.

Thank you, Dr. Phillips. Any other remarks, sir?

There was one other thing I wanted to say, but I done forgot about it, so hopefully it comes back to me.

Thank you, Dr. Phillips.

Thank you.

Thank you for your hard work, sir.

I appreciate.

The Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Nina Ahmad.

Thank you, Council President. This past Monday, I held a very productive hearing examining the current state of Philadelphia's reproductive healthcare system, the shifting federal landscape affecting reproductive policy, and the city's role in protecting reproductive freedom. I wanted to thank my Councilmembers on the Public Health and Human Services Committee for attending and contributing thoughtfully to the conversation, and especially Councilmember O'Rourke, who sat through the entire thing. So I deeply appreciate it. It was a long hearing. I wanted to, in honor of Women's History Month, name all of these women who came to testify. You know, I'll try to be quick, but I just want to make sure we acknowledge the hard work of all those who came and who came with very solution-oriented testimony, and that's what we had asked them to do. So they were Dr. Aasta Mehta from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Division of Reproductive, Adolescent, and Child Health; Dr. Meredith Matone from CHOP; Lila Slovak from the Women's Law Project; LaQuisha Anthony of WOAR; Jabina Coleman, founder of Bay Culture; Jessica Corey from the Maternity Care Coalition; Selima Jay McNeil; Carla Mendez Lugo; and Lila Finley from Oshun Family Center; Signe Espinoza from Planned Parenthood; Audrey Ann Ross from the Access Matters; Dr. Diana Montoya-Williams from the Perelman School of Medicine; Dr. Alice Abernathy, Perelman School of Medicine; Dr. Abigail Wolf, Perelman School of Medicine; Professor Elizabeth Kukura, Drexel University Kline School of Law; Katya Perez of the Abortion Liberation Fund of PA; Jenné Johns, President of Once Upon A Preemie; Jessi Schwarz from the Lifecycle Wellness and Birth Center; Dr. Hillary Rosenstein from the Mazzoni Center, who was unable to attend but sent her testimony; and Robyn Faye, gynecologist as well. This was a part of an ongoing fact- finding effort authorized by Council to evaluate barriers to care. And I look forward to working with all my fellow Councilmembers on developing a more coordinated response with providers, partners, advocates, and community members. Yesterday, I had an opportunity to attend a press conference, hosted by the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, and the Lankenau Environmental Magnet High School. Alongside with Councilmembers Gilmore-Richardson, Isaiah Thomas, and House Representative Morgan Cephas, I continue to oppose the school district's decision to shut down Lankenau Environmental Science Magnet High School and giving it 12 acres of land to developers. 13 Lankenau is educating the 14 future stewards of our planet, has 15 100 percent graduation rate, 16 supports the state's only three- 17 year CTE, and is a Title I school with 98 percent minority student body. Closing it would be an injustice, and I will continue to stand against this position. Furthers on a happier note, today, immediately after this session, I will join all available city councilmembers for a briefing at the Salvation -- with the Salvation Army to discuss human trafficking and the work being done by Salvation Army in our caucus room. I look forward to all of you joining us there. And this weekend, I'm joining State Representative Hohenstein, and Councilmember Quetcy Lozada for a shredding and electronic recycling event at 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at 5801 Frankford Community -- Frankford -- oops, sorry, 5801 Frankford, and community members are all welcome, including all our Councilmembers. I'm also proud to join fellow Councilmembers this same Saturday from 11:00 to 1:00 for the Standup for Science Rally at the north side of Philly Hall -- Philly City Hall. I am proud to be a part of a Council that stands up for those who are being oppressed and targeted. And so I thank you all for your attention.

Thank you very much. Good job. Also joining us in the chambers today is former staffer from the 4th Councilmanic District. The Chair of the Philadelphia Delegation, State Representative Morgan Cephas. Thank you for joining us. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Dr. Anthony Phillips, briefly.

Yes, just seconds. I remember 18 what I wanted to say. I'm going to 19 be away this weekend, but I just 20 want to quickly acknowledge the fact that our colleague, Councilmember Lozada, is being recognized by Roberto Clemente Middle School. She's going to get a name on a -- a name on a room at the Family Resource Center. I wish I could be there, but congratulations and thanks for all of your hard work that you're doing. So keep up the good work, Councilmember Lozada.

Congratulations. They're naming buildings after you and stuff. Your second turn. I can't say that about your predecessor, but good job. The Chair recognizes the Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. Very quickly, I wanted to acknowledge the Lenfest Institute who was down here and there in social media and journalism, and they were here today. Chelsea Cox was the among them sister of Morgan Cephas the other famous Cephas. And so if they're here. The second thing I wanted to talk about, Mr. President, was I'm truly grateful to serve with my colleagues in this room. We come from different backgrounds, different races, different religions, but we stand on the -- on the behalf of right. If you noticed, there were different Islamic organizations recognizing Sister Clara Muhammad. Thank you, Member Gauthier for putting that in. But they were all unified in a sense of harmony about what was going on, in spite of the chaos -- kept in chaos that Number 47, the President of the United States is doing. We are actively engaged in military conflict in 11 -- no, 12 different countries because of that chaos. It is Ramadan, it is a time where most Muslims want to kind of internalize their religion, but they cannot because they're fighting a war. Whether you deal with the governmental side of how it got started, it's going on, and he is toes down, and it is very 8 concerning the position we are in 9 right now. 10 So I go back to what I started, I'm grateful to serve with the diversity that's in this room, because we stand together on a great many things, and we want to make sure that we deal with the things we can under our feet. And you've always been a proponent of that, Mr. President, and for which I am grateful. Thank you.

Thank you, Member Jones. Councilmember Rue Landau.

Thank you, Council President, and thank you, colleague Councilman Jones, for always putting our international conflicts and chaos in such perspective for us. It's important, and as we all know, it trickles into our Philadelphia communities. So it's important that we recognize what's happening and we're honest about it as well. Today, I introduced a resolution declaring this week as National Consumer Protection Week in the city of Philadelphia. This week is a great opportunity to remind everyone that Philadelphians must stay vigilant against fraud. I encourage anyone who would like to file a consumer complaint to call the Pennsylvania Bureau of Consumer Protection Resources at 1-800-441-2555, or online at the Attorney General's website. In my first year of office, I introduced a consumer protection ordinance on behalf of the Parker Administration, which empowers the city to respond to frauds harming consumers. I'm excited to continue that work and for the -- or this -- the ordinance 9 to continue to pay dividends for Philadelphians who may have fallen victim to predatory or fraudulent practices. Today, I also co-introduced with Councilmember O'Rourke a resolution honoring the life of Nasrallah Abu Siyam, a Palestinian Philadelphian who was fatally shot in the occupied West Bank on the first day of Ramadan. He was born here in Philadelphia, and his friends and family are deeply mourning his passing. I'd like to acknowledge members of his family who joined us for a Council session today, and other members of his family are trapped overseas after having flown over for his funeral and are unable to secure a way home due to the most recent, but also unjust, new war on Iran at the hands of the president. The United States -- US State Department, and the Department of Justice must conduct a full investigation and pursue justice for Nasrallah. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much. The Chair recognizes Councilmember Jeffrey J. Young.

Thank you, Mr. President. I want to acknowledge that our Ramadan Toy Drive is still live. We have partnered with the Philly Majlis, Councilman Jones, Chairman Omar Sabir, the Office of Muslim Engagement, and Parks and Rec, and we are still accepting toy donations through March 13th. And we encourage anyone who can give us help and a donation to donate; you can donate at my office. You can donate at Makkah Mosque. You can donate at Commissioner Sabir's North Philadelphia office as well. m. m. at Penrose Recreation Center. And actually, in that same spirit of Ramadan, for Read Across America Day, I had the opportunity to read a book called Ramadan Kareem to 3rd and 5th graders at Dunbar Elementary School. And that's the book that they chose democratically. We had a list of books, and each class voted, surprisingly, on the same book to be read, which is Ramadan Kareem. And at Dunbar, right, this is a school that is a part of the school district facilities plan. This school has small class sizes, where the students are able to thrive. But the school district wants to disrupt this particular school by sending hundreds of kids from the Ludlow neighborhood to Dunbar for school, which is a mile- and-a-half away, and again, leaving Ludlow without a school in that neighborhood. And so as we continue to go through and work out this facilities plan, I hope the school district is listening to residents of the city of Philadelphia, because this plan, even as its tweaked, doesn't make any sense. Particularly in my Council district, as I stated to the school board, there are a lot of contradictions in your goals of your plan and how it really impacts the 5th Council district. So I'm going to continue to say something about it, and do something about it. As I know my colleagues, we did -- I did introduce a bill that will allow us to impeach school board members. And so that's something I'm going to be talking to you about very, very soon as we move forward with this process. We also, today, we introduce legislation. You know, Philadelphia's preparing to host a World Cup and a lot of other events. And as excitement builds around the fan experience on the parkway in Lemon Hill, we must also ensure that surrounding neighborhoods are protected. So we introduced a bill today that will allow for free residential permit parking for residents around that Parkway Lemon Hill area. So you live in the southern part of Strawberry Mansion, in Brewerytown, in Fairmount, in Spring Garden, and Logan Square, we want to make sure your community is protected. Major events like this bring crowds, and without planning, visitors searching for parking can overwhelm residential blocks and make it difficult for residents to park near their own homes. This ordinance designates permanent parking -- designate a permanent parking district so residents are not pushed out of their own streets during the fan experience. If we are going to host global events, we need to plan ahead. This legislation helps balance welcoming visitors while protecting the quality of life of people who live here. So I want to thank Councilmember Jones for co-sponsoring this legislation with me as well. And finally, during Women's History Month, we are proud to honor Dr. Constance E. Clayton, a pioneer in leading education here in the city of Philadelphia. Dr. Clayton made history as the first African American and first woman superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia, leading with vision and courage at a critical moment for our public schools. Dr. Clayton believed deeply that decisions about our schools must always center students, families, and communities. I hope the school district is listening into that, right? Naming this street in honor of her reminds us that we shape the future of our schools. We must do so with transparency, community voice, and the commitment to opportunity for every child. Designating this block as Dr. Constance E.

Clayton Way ensures her legacy continues to inspire generations of students, educators, and leaders. And I'm asking all of those who love Dr. Clayton, who want to honor Dr. Clayton to come out next week to testify as this legislation is on final passage. And as you alluded to, Mr. President, I don't think that this current plan would be something that Dr. Clayton would be for. So I hope the school district again continues to work with communities, work with members of Council to ensure that as this facilities plan rolls out, it's done so with equity, with real equity, right? Because you can't have a goal of increasing college access while closing the schools that send our kids to college. That just doesn't make any sense. And so I hope we continue to work through this plan, so it becomes a better school district of Philadelphia, again, where only 70 percent of our fourth graders are able to read at grade level. How does this plan address that? Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you very much. The Chair recognizes the majority Deputy Whip Councilmember Cindy Bass.

Thank you, Mr. President. And speaking about education, following up on my colleagues' comments, I'm looking forward to supporting the resolution on the renaming for Dr. Constance Clayton, who was a neighbor and I lived in the same area as myself and Councilmember Ahmad, and was just so highly regarded and respected. So I'm looking forward to supporting your resolution. And also, I wanted to -- I would like the record to reflect that the students who joined us today from PTTI, they were specific students from the START program, which is Skill Technical and Rehabilitation Training. This program provides structural -- structured Saturday programming, focused on work readiness, personal development, and support for court- involved youth as they transition back into their communities. And we are grateful to have them here with us today and thankful for PTTI for the important work that they're doing for the young people in Philadelphia. And they also, I believe, came down and are sitting here with us today. So, again, thank you so much for being here. I also wanted to make mention that last week, there was a school district hearing or school district meeting to talk about the school closures. And although I tried to stay as long as I could, I was a little sick with the flu, still recovering, but I wanted to really make a full mention of my comments because I didn't get a chance to that evening. And I really wanted to just say that, you know, and I say this over and over again, if you create the conditions, you are responsible for the results. You are responsible for what we are looking at right now. And you have created these conditions by making changes. There was an analysis done by the Enquirer that listed how lower enrollment in specific schools was a direct result of school district changes to special admit schools. And so the reason that you're now saying that you have to close them is because the enrollment is low, but you put in place the actions, which cause the enrollment to be low -- and so -- to be lower than it's supposed to be. And again, if you create this situation, you have to fix it. And so they had a number of different options to choose from, the district did, in terms of figuring out how to make this better. The options could have been revisiting the special admit policy and make corrections to ensure that quality educational options are done and available in every single neighborhood. That's still an option. The other option is to move students to empty spaces to preserve schools and neighborhoods with less attendance. You know, provide transportation. Why is that not an option, where you have schools primarily on the east side of Broad Street that are, you know, just overwhelmed with capacity, and then you have empty seats on the west side of Broad Street? Why are we not even having a conversation about moving students so that we can have quality education in every neighborhood? Because what are we going to do? Are we really talking about taking empty school buildings, putting -- making the residential locations, apartments and whatnot, condos, whatever. And I -- like, are those people moving in? Do any of them have children? I'm assuming that they do. Are we just going to say, okay, well you can only move in if you don't have children, because we don't have any educational options in this part of Philadelphia for you, because we've moved them all on the east side of Broad Street. And so, you know, we have to be really thoughtful about what we're talking about. You cannot take away these options, and then when these neighborhoods come back, bounce back, grow back, thrive, you know, with families, where are those children going to go to school if we keep making these kinds of decisions? When we closed -- when the school district, not we, when the school district decided to close buildings years ago, you know, the district put up a map when they did their presentation.

And they 5 showed how there were closures on 6 the east side, closures on the west 7 side 10 years ago. And, you know, 8 the sort of like the growth and the 9 change on the east side. Okay, 10 fine. Now you're coming back and saying, we're making these additional changes, but you never went back and fixed the changes and the resulting damage that was done, and the trauma that was done from the changes that happened from the closures 10 years ago. And, you know, Dr. Watlington said, "Well, when you drop out of school, that's a life decision. " Well, from his own words, you know, we know that when we close schools, you lose students. During COVID, we know that we lost some of our students that we couldn't account for. We don't know what happened to them; they just sort of dropped out of sight, and the district doesn't know what happened to them. And the same thing when we did those closures 10 years ago, some of those students dropped out. So the district is making those life-impacting decisions for our young people, and who are going to be traumatized by these changes and closures. So, you know, I have a lot to say about it, but I just wanted to drop that for right now because there's a lot more that I think we can do and could be done to keep our schools open. Those schools don't have to be closed. That's the easy solution. You know, that's the easy thing to do. But the important and the hard work behind it means that we need to go back to the drawing board, look at what was done 9 years ago, and make the corrections 10 rather than just closing those schools as the option. So thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you, Member Bass. Very well said. That concludes all of our speeches. The Chair recognizes Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore- Richardson for a motion to adjourn.

Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, March 12th, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Second.

It has been moved and properly seconded. The Council stand adjourned until Thursday, March 12th at 10:00 a.m. All those in favor signify by saying aye. COUNCILMEMBERS: Aye.

Those opposed? The ayes have it. The motion carries. Thank you all very much, and that's March 12th, 2026, for the record. (Stated meeting concluded at 1:10 p.m.) C E R T I F I C A T I O N I hereby certify that the proceedings and evidence are contained fully and accurately in the notes taken by me of the above case, and this copy is a correct transcript of the same. _______________ Samanda J. Rios