Councilman David Oh is also a no vote. The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 220431.
A resolution calling upon the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to pass House Bill 140, the Parking Protected Bike Lane and Plaza bill, to empower municipalities to buffer bike lanes with parking on state roads.
The Chair recognizes Councilman Green for a motion. Stated Meeting 52 5/19/2022 5/19/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 220432.
A resolution recognizing May 15 through 20, 2022 as the inaugural Multicultural Media Professionals Week in the City of Philadelphia.
The Chair again recognizes Councilman Green. Stated Meeting 53 5/19/2022 5/19/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you, Council President. This week was the idea of an entreprising and enterprising media professional, Afea Tucker, who has done a lot of work in the City, and the idea was to bring together various media professionals of all different ethnic backgrounds together to collaborate, to have opportunities to network among each other, and to bring more young people and advance themselves within the profession. I'm glad that she took this initiative. She started the idea in 2018. Of course was delayed by the pandemic, but we are able to have this inaugural week this week. A number of different partners have been active in this initiative this week, including Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists. I want to thank Ms. Tucker for her creativity for this initiative, and I move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.) Stated Meeting 54 5/19/2022 5/19/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 220433.
A resolution applauding Philadelphia's selection as a participant city in the Municipalities Reimagining Community Safety Initiative.
Thank you, Council President. This new initiative, the Municipalities Reimagining Community Safety Initiative, is a new program from the National League of Cities. I'm very Stated Meeting 55 5/19/2022 5/19/22 - STATED - 2ND READING proud to represent our city as an executive committee member and Board member at the National League of Cities. And through this initiative, they selected five cities, Philadelphia being one, along with Baltimore, Dallas, Jackson, and St. Louis, and partnered with the Wells Fargo Foundation to provide resources to these cities, as we are all grappling with the real crisis that we have, which is a crisis around this country dealing with public safety. I already reached out to our President of the National League of Cities, Clarence Anthony, our President and CEO, as well as our Board President, Mayor Vince Williams of Union City, Georgia, to thank him on behalf -- both of them on behalf of the City of Philadelphia for providing us with critical dollars as we try to address the issues of gun violence and public safety in our city. Very appreciative of also the resources being provided by Wells Stated Meeting 56 5/19/2022 5/19/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Fargo. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 220434.
A resolution honoring the life and legacy of the Honorable Norman Y. Mineta, who passed away on May 3, 2022, during Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Thank you. Stated Meeting 57 5/19/2022 5/19/22 - STATED - 2ND READING The Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you very much, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, would you please read the title of Resolution No. 220435.
A resolution designating May 15, 2022 as the Inaugural Day of Serenity in the City of Philadelphia, providing communities Stated Meeting 58 5/19/2022 5/19/22 - STATED - 2ND READING disproportionately impacted by gun violence the opportunity to gather in peace and healing.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it, and that resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 210658-AA.
An ordinance amending Subcode "A" (The Philadelphia Stated Meeting 59 5/19/2022 5/19/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Administrative Code) of Title 4 (The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code) of The Philadelphia Code, by amending Section A-703, entitled "Special Certificate of Inspection," to enhance building safety requirements for educational occupancies.
Thank you, Council President. I just want to give members of Council a little brief reminder of the history of this legislation. Back in 2019, we had learned that a longtime teacher of Meredith and Jackson School was diagnosed with mesothelioma, which pretty much believed came from her providing education to young people at those schools. At that time, we worked on this bill and introduced the legislation -- was about to introduce the legislation, but the School District said, give us some time Stated Meeting 60 5/19/2022 5/19/22 - STATED - 2ND READING as we try to address asbestos in our schools. So giving them the benefit of the doubt, I held back on the legislation, thinking that asbestos would be remediated over a period of time and be done quickly, especially as we went into the pandemic when we know the schools were closed and was under the impression I was receiving that they were working very hard to address those issues. Although they made some improvement, much more work needs to be done in reference to asbestos. And then as we came back into our Council session in 2021 and prior to that as the schools are reopening and my son was going back to school, like a number of other children around the City of Philadelphia, we learned that the asbestos issue was still a very significant problem in our schools. We all saw the issues that many of us participated in the press Stated Meeting 61 5/19/2022 5/19/22 - STATED - 2ND READING conferences at Masterman and also SLA Beeber where parents, teachers, other School District employees and children were very concerned to be in our schools. So working with the Health Department, we've been able to make amendments to this legislation to require that before a special certificate of occupancy can be issued for an education building in the City of Philadelphia, the Health Department must inspect in reference to asbestos, and this follows the legislation that Councilmember Squilla and us as a body supported dealing with lead. It also brings together an advisory committee to provide guidance to the Managing Director's Office about issues and concerns regarding the safety and the building conditions of our schools. So this was a collaborative approach and process where we worked with both Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, the Pennsylvania Chapter of American Stated Meeting 62 5/19/2022 5/19/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Federation of Teachers, as well as SEIU, our school administrators, CASA Local 502, Philadelphia Home and School Council, and the Philadelphia School Advisory Council, as well as other parents and concerned individuals around the City of Philadelphia about the issue of asbestos in our schools. My hope is with the new Superintendent, Dr. Tony Watlington, we'll have a new approach as we work through these issues and do all that we can to remove asbestos from our schools to make sure that everyone who works, who is educated, who comes into our schools are doing it in a safe environment and place going forward. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Councilman. This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, please call the Stated Meeting 63 5/19/2022 5/19/22 - STATED - 2ND READING roll.
Aye. Stated Meeting 64 5/19/2022 5/19/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Stated Meeting 65 5/19/2022 5/19/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Mr. Decker, please read the title of 210802.
An ordinance amending Section 12-1120 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Abandoned Vehicles," to authorize Public Safety Officers to authorize the removal of abandoned vehicles.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Sorry, Mr. President. I was looking in the Chat. Councilwoman Bass.
Aye. Stated Meeting 66 5/19/2022 5/19/22 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilwoman Stated Meeting 67 5/19/2022 5/19/22 - STATED - 2ND READING Quinones-Sanchez.
Aye. Councilman O'Neill, on my computer it was a little -
A Stated Meeting 68 5/19/2022 5/19/22 - STATED - 2ND READING little static in my computer. Thank you. The ayes are 16; the nays are zero. A majority of all members having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?
I do, Mr. President. A resolution adopting the 2022 Hazard Mitigation Plan as the official hazard mitigation plan of the City of Philadelphia, introduced today by Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson on behalf of Council President Clarke.
The Chair recognizes Councilwoman Gilmore Richardson.
Thank you, Council President. On your behalf, I move the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Moved and properly seconded. Stated Meeting 69 5/19/2022 by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. And let the record reflect this is an Administration bill. In the event anyone needs to be briefed on the specifics, we will arrange to have that set up from the Administration. Thank you. Mr. Decker?
Thank you very much. And that concludes our Calendar for today. We will now move to recognizing members for speeches, but prior to that, I'm just going to note for the record that we'll be using the Chat feature available in Microsoft Teams to Stated Meeting 70 5/19/2022 that they wish to be recognized. In order to comply with the Sunshine Act, the Chat feature must only be used for that particular purpose. With that said, are there any speeches on behalf of the minority? And the Chair recognizes Councilman Oh.
Thank you, Council President. I have two items to talk about. One is a wonderful item and one is a terrible item. I'll start with the terrible item. It almost goes unnoticed as a sign of the times here in Philadelphia that on May 14th in Buffalo, a person drove 200 miles to put on a live stream the murder of ten people and the shooting of three others, 11 African American. This person specifically drove to this Black neighborhood to shoot people in the parking lot and in the supermarket. Stated Meeting 71 5/19/2022 and tragic sign of what is going on, but even worse, that we have so many murders in our city that it's almost uneventful, and it should not be. I just want to express our thoughts and prayers for those survivors, condolences to the families, the communities. It's devastating and particularly for those who have not experienced the levels of violence that some of us have in this nation, particularly here in our city. The other event that I want to mention, which is the exact opposite and part of the solution to these problems, is that here in Philadelphia today, Black Enterprise is holding its 11th Annual Entrepreneurial Summit, Entrepreneurs Summit, and I had the pleasure and the honor, along with Councilmembers Cindy Bass and Derek Green, to present our Council resolution this morning to the President and CEO, Earl "Butch" Graves, Stated Meeting 72 5/19/2022 Jr., a wonderful event. They started in Philadelphia. They're back here in Philadelphia. Entrepreneurism, owning businesses, having the ability to put your personality and to direct in your way what you want to do in life is one of the wonderful things that I believe will not only help our communities turn around the problem we have but address a lot of the ills, such as gun violence, murder, and a lack of just respect for human life. I think that, you know, we all celebrate the BE Entrepreneurs Summit, and I know many of us are going to go over there throughout the event, and I want to congratulate them and just tell them how much we appreciate them here in our City of Philadelphia. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Councilman. On behalf of the majority, the Stated Meeting 73 5/19/2022
Thank you, Council President. First of all, I want to echo the sentiments of my colleague as it relates to some of the concerns dealing with the shooting this past week. It's an extremely sad situation that captured the heart of a lot of people across the country, across the world really. There was multiple shootings over the weekend, and really sad situation. But this week in Philadelphia, we had, along the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, we had a primary election, and the voter turnout for that election hovered around 20 percent. We're still counting some mail-in ballots and looking at the numbers, but the concern that only 20 percent of the registered voters here in the City of Philadelphia came out to vote this week when we have contested elections, important elections to me is alarming. Stated Meeting 74 5/19/2022 general election next year. We have an important race -- I'm sorry; important general election in November. We have important elections next year, and of course in 2024, we vote for President. So one of the things that I've been fighting for is more investment in the Commissioners Office. The Mayor allocated $22 million in his budget proposal when the Commissioners asked for 27, but we all know that it would take $36 million to fairly fund an election in the way that we've seen in 2020 where people came out to vote in record numbers. So I am concerned about the voter turnout. I do think that we all need to own some of this on our own where we're going to push and promote the election this November, but I also think that we need to do a better job of allocating funds to the Commissioners Office. Stated Meeting 75 5/19/2022 to raise awareness to the letter that we sent out to the Administration as well as to our state partners asking for more money and more funding to fund a fair election. The last thing I'm going to say, you know, yesterday I spent a lot of time -- Tuesday I spent a lot of time on the polling place, and I remember coming across one woman who really touched my heart. I watched a lot of seniors walking to the polling places with canes and, you know, do everything they can to vote, but one woman in specific, you know, she was upset at us on the City Council side, so she caught my attention, right? You know, what's going on? Talk to me. Tell me how you're feeling. And before she got a chance to talk to me, she needed to sit down, because her legs were giving out and she was tired. So, you know, I was, can I walk you to your car? Can I help you out? Stated Meeting 76 5/19/2022 shifted, and I got an opportunity to talk to the woman for about 20 minutes, and she is -- you know, almost had me in tears, because she was asking me when do I come up for election next year -- and I said next year, and she said, well, I might not be here to vote for you. So I'm like, well, what's wrong? What's going on? And she explained to me, you know, what she had been going through, and I'm not going to put her business out there, but she talked about her terminal illness, and in the midst of, you know, talking about her terminal illness, she still found a way to come out and vote, right? Like literally facing death, might not be here to vote in November, but still wanted to come out and vote. A little mad at us, right, and that's part of the job. That's what we signed up for. And I still don't know why, but, you know, it really -- I will Stated Meeting 77 5/19/2022 I'll never forget the fact that in the midst of facing death, she felt like it was her obligation to come out and vote, while so many of us have the choice and the time and choose not to do so for a lot of reasons.
So I know I'm going to do my part to try to raise awareness for this November's election, but I will never forget her, and I'm hoping that her story inspires somebody else to participate in an election where they might not necessarily want to come out and vote. I'll also close out with something similar to what Councilman Johnson says all the time when he starts our hearings -- I mean, starts our Council hearings, praying for those who have been victims of gun violence. We've had some tragic, tragic, tragic deaths in the City of Philadelphia over the last couple weeks, some young people, innocent victims being caught in the crossfire of Stated Meeting 78 5/19/2022 violence, and I just want to echo my colleague Councilman Johnson, who always offers prayers and condolence to the folks that we're losing in this city, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to be able to address this issue. Sorry for being longwinded, folks, but thank you, Council President.
Thank you, Councilman. Sad, compelling, but encouraging message that you just gave us about that lady. It's real, you know. So thank you. Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Green.
Thank you, Council President. Thank you, Councilmember Thomas, for your comments. Definitely was good to hear. Appreciated that perspective. It reminds us of the work that we need to do every day. Stated Meeting 79 5/19/2022 thank Councilmember Oh for his comments. As President of Democratic Municipal Officials, I had a chance to talk with Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and just offer support. I can only -- I can't even imagine the challenges he's dealing with in trying to lead his city dealing with that horrific situation that happened in Buffalo when we're dealing with all the issues of the pandemic and economic development and all the challenges that we're dealing with and add to that a mass shooting targeting African Americans in his city. So definitely thank you, Councilmember Oh, for raising that point this morning. I also want to thank Councilmember Oh for allowing me to participate with him in the presentation for the Black Enterprise resolution. As someone who grew up reading Black Enterprise in my household, it was a real Stated Meeting 80 5/19/2022 there and to present that resolution, along with Councilmember Cindy Bass. So I wanted to thank you, Councilmember Oh, for reaching out and giving me an opportunity to be with you as we presented that resolution this morning. Two other quick matters. One, I remind people that my office is hosting a blood drive today with the American Red Cross, and this is a blood drive to support those who are dealing with sickle cell anemia disease. I know Councilmember Squilla has been a strong blood donor and supporter of blood drives through the many years in his office and, you know, Councilmember Gym has been a very strong supporter of sickle cell issues as well, as well as all members of City Council. So that will be today from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Conversation Hall, Room 201. For those who are frequent donors like myself, make sure Stated Meeting 81 5/19/2022 pass so you can give blood today, which I'll be doing a little bit later today. And then to close on a very positive note, tomorrow will be the 2022 Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists Media Professional Awards, and I would like to congratulate my Director of Communications, Kyra Harris, who is receiving an award as an emerging media professional honoree. So I want to thank her for all the great work that she does in helping to uplift our office and to get the word out about things that we do all around the City of Philadelphia. So I want to congratulate Kyra Harris on receiving that award. Thank you, Council President.
Thank you. Thank you, and congratulations from all of us. Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson. Stated Meeting 82 5/19/2022
Thank you, Council President. Just a couple brief remarks. First, I want to congratulate -- now she's the former CEO of the Philadelphia International Airport. That's Chellie Cameron, who has now transitioned over to the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, where she will be the CEO. Chellie worked at the Airport over the last 11 years as the CEO, and we had a good working relationship as it relates to moving the Philadelphia International Airport forward. So I just want to congratulate her and wish her the best in her new position in terms of her career. Also, Council President and colleagues, similar to Councilman Isaiah Thomas, on E Day, I was out and about and I'd like to say smelling my district and talking to the residents and moving all throughout the Second Councilmanic District and just talking to the voters, Stated Meeting 83 5/19/2022 that was very resilient and consistent in talking to my constituents were, one, making sure that we keep the pulse of addressing the senseless gun violence that is continuously taking over our city, making sure that we're providing positive outlets for our young people so they don't pick up guns during this upcoming summer, and making sure as the weather breaks we're doing everything that we can do possible to keep our residents safe. And so I will be, as we're moving forward, making sure I'm engaging with our Philadelphia Police Commissioner, Danielle Outlaw; our District Attorney, Larry Krasner; our new School Superintendent who will be joining us here in the City of Philadelphia, as well as Probation, Parole, and our court system just to make sure that we have a comprehensive strategy and approach around this issue. And we'll be reaching out to my colleagues also for support Stated Meeting 84 5/19/2022 issue, because we don't want to have another summer on a trajectory where we're going to surpass 600 homicides in the City of Philadelphia. A good note is that we're slightly under when it comes to homicides this year, at least nine percent less homicides this year than we had last year, but we're up in shootings. So we have a lot more individuals who are getting shot, and that hasn't even taken in consideration those individuals who are paralyzed, those individuals who are maimed as a result of the shootings, but also the shell shock that has an impact on the community in which we live in. And the second key issue, Council President and colleagues, is the issue of property assessments and the taxes that are going to have a significant impact on those individuals in neighborhoods that have seen property values significantly increase. And so as Stated Meeting 85 5/19/2022 forward, just making sure in this budgetary process that we're doing all the things possible to give the level of tax relief to our residents, engaging them and making sure that they're participating in first-level reviews and making sure that they're taking advantage of all the tax relief measures that are available that we offer here in the City of Philadelphia, and also us not turning a blind eye on paying attention to the eviction crisis that is also surely going to take place when we see these property values increase. When the landlord property values increase and the taxes increase, he's going to pass that cost down to the tenant, and if the tenant can't afford their rent, those will also be individuals who will be left homeless trying to figure out a way where they will actually lay their head to sleep. So those two key themes were very, very consistent on Election Day Stated Meeting 86 5/19/2022 Second Councilmanic District, and I will make sure that those key issues I will be addressing with my colleagues here in the City of Philadelphia. I just wanted to put that out there just for the record.
My staff just wants me to clarify that although Chellie hasn't resigned just yet, she still put out information she will be moving along to a new position with the Chamber of Commerce. So I just want to clarify that she will still be working with us until June 24th, but nevertheless, that's just a month away, which means there will be new leadership at the Philadelphia International Airport. So as always, it's good to see everyone. Thank you, Council President, for your time.
Thank you, Councilman. I hate to keep making little Stated Meeting 87 5/19/2022 I know I'm not supposed to talk, but you referenced Election Day, and I got to tell you, on Election Day standing at 30th and Oxford with my Chief of Staff, Curtis Wilkerson, 2 o'clock in the afternoon, approximately 30 shots rang out. Must have been no more than a block or two away. The thing that concerned me, that the people just continued to walk and talk and it was like nothing happened, right? And the gentleman said, Darrell, that happens every day. And that's what you're dealing with. You know, it's just so frequent, it's just sad and scary. So I concur, Councilman, we got to do something different.
Yeah. You know, it's just ridiculous. Thank you, Councilman. The Chair recognizes Councilman Stated Meeting 88 5/19/2022
Thank you, Mr. President. I want to echo my colleagues' comments about last Tuesday, Election Day. I first want to start with former City Commissioner Anthony Clark passed away. He was a public servant. He was a proud North Philadelphian, and he fought for our democracy. During my travels on Election Day, I saw a lot of my colleagues in different parts of the City, but what I noticed was the fact that the resources we need to keep and dedicate to the City Commissioners Office is the blue line, red line, the line of our democracy. Most of our machine operators, inspection posts that we have inside the polling place, we're finding a hard time filling those positions. Without those machine operators and judges of election, there is no polling place. In some parts of Philadelphia, Stated Meeting 89 5/19/2022 boxes, the election boxes that are supposed to be delivered to the respective polling places, weren't picked up. A lot of our workers are getting up in age. We have to train, recruit, and educate younger people to be a part of the democratic and republican parties so that we can have proper elections run in Philadelphia. I just know that as we move towards the midterms, November, we have to solve these problems or fingers will be pointed at us, blaming us for things that may not even exist. So we have to do our part to make sure the machinery of our democracy is well oiled and well staffed. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Councilman. I think that concludes our speeches -- oh, I see Councilman Domb. The Chair recognizes Councilman Stated Meeting 90 5/19/2022
Thank you, Council President, and I just want a quick comment. Last night I had an opportunity to do a ride-along in your district, I believe, Council President, 22nd District, and met with the captain and several people there, and they're doing a really good job. The captain has that program. I know that we, through you, I think we've supported that, Guns Down, Gloves Up. Great program with young kids out there teaching boxing and different skills. It's great. But I was in the, I guess, the front seat of the police car from 6:00 to 10:00 last night and actually witnessed seven different shootings. Five of them were on Bouvier Street, and when we got there, the police were actually chasing the shooters in the car, and we stopped and got out, saw what was going on. It's just heartbreaking to see Stated Meeting 91 5/19/2022 this, and most of these things, I believe, are totally around drugs. That's really where a lot of this is coming from, drug-related crimes. We really need to work with not just our local partners that I know are doing as much as we can, but we have to engage some of these federal partners to help us with this drug situation. But I will say the Police Department, from my observation, did an incredibly great job. They were really professional. Saw many police officers out there just doing really good work. So I just wanted to commend them and just share that experience. It was sad to see. Thank you.
Yeah. Yeah. Councilman, I heard last night you went on a ride-along. I was praying for you that you stayed safe. With that, the Chair recognizes Councilman Jones for a motion to adjourn. Stated Meeting 92 5/19/2022
Thank you, Mr. President. I move that Council stand adjourned until Thursday, May 26th, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and seconded that Council stand adjourned until Thursday May, 26, 2022, 10:00 a.m. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. Thank you all very much and, again, please be safe. Love you guys. ) Stated Meeting 93 5/19/2022 CERTIFICATE I HEREBY CERTIFY that the proceedings, evidence and objections are contained fully and accurately in the stenographic notes taken by me upon the foregoing matter, and that this is a true and correct transcript of same. MICHELE L.