The next speaker is Leah Clouden. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon. Leah Clouden. I didn't prepare anything, but I'm going to go off of what my parents STATED MEETING 106 3/23/2023 said -- well, what my mother said about driving around and seeing that -- I don't see people that look like us, African American. I know that we have the majority. I don't know if we still have the majority, because we're importing a lot of immigrants. But the thing about tax abatement is that us as residents, we get nothing out of this. All we do is pay, pay, pay. The educational system, and I'll say it again, is eight percent away from total failure. So in the name of the children does not work, because the system does not work. Even my trash services, the services you're supposed to get from the police, they come the next day for reports, no matter what it is. I've watched accidents outside my house because the City has agreed or gave a contract to these people to redesign the streets and they don't put the streets back the way they used to be. So I watch STATED MEETING 107 3/23/2023 accidents, I would say, about three to four times a week happening outside my door. I've called several times. So this tax abatements are the low income moving into the neighborhood. They need help when they move into our neighborhood. And we all had -- well, if you're Black in Philadelphia, we have many a moments where we've all been low income, because we know that there is no fair pay. There hasn't been fair pay, especially with people here today about raising the minimum wage. We have -- this city has to do better. We're tired of paying and not getting anything back. You have companies coming in and making crazy money for 30 percent of their units. This has to stop. Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony. (Applause.) STATED MEETING 108 3/23/2023
The next speaker is Captain Nicole Nobles. (Witnesses approached podium.) CHIEF DEPUTY HAIRSTON: Good morning -- good afternoon.
Good afternoon. CHIEF DEPUTY HAIRSTON: My name is Chief Deputy Vonda Hairston and I am honored to speak on behalf of my boss, Rochelle Bilal. I have worked with the City of Philadelphia for 31 years. Four of those were with the Philadelphia Prisons and 27 years with the Office of the Sheriff. I have served under three administrations, and I must say Sheriff Bilal has brought a different atmosphere to the office. She's very approachable, down to earth, and cares about the office and, more importantly, our deputies. Because of her, we are finally being recognized as a law enforcement STATED MEETING 109 3/23/2023 agency that we always have been, and because of that, we are gaining more respect throughout the City of Philadelphia. I have great respect for her as my boss, as a strong Black woman, and consider her a mentor. The Sheriff has promoted me twice since taking office, and I want to personally and publicly thank her for seeing a potential in me that I didn't necessarily see in myself, at least at this level of responsibility. So with that, I just want to thank you, Sheriff Bilal, for what you're doing for our office, what you have done for me, and the way that you care for all of us. (Applause.) CAPTAIN NOBLES: Captain Nicole Nobles. I really am not a speaker, but STATED MEETING 110 3/23/2023 I'm head of the Warrant Unit of the Philadelphia Sheriff's Office. I just want to say that Sheriff Bilal, she's been a real mentor since she came. When you speak about Black girls, young Black girls in the City of Philadelphia being and having someone to look up to, I'm a product of that. When she came here, I was just in awe to see a Black woman being head of the Sheriff's Office. I also worked up in the Philadelphia Prison. So just having her as a boss means a lot to us. She's done a lot for us. I mean, we didn't have any vests. We didn't have any shields. We went through houses without no shields. I mean, when Sheriff Bilal came here, we got shields, we got helmets. That means a lot to us. When nobody else cared about us, she came in here and she cared about us. And, again, thank you. (Applause.) STATED MEETING 111 3/23/2023
The next speaker is Lynn Landes, commenting on 210913. (Witness approached podium.)
Good afternoon. My name is Lynn Landes of HealthAlertPhilly.org. I support Resolution 210913, but I also have a question. Why is the Board of Health continuing to mandate COVID vaccines for City employees, contractors, and others? And could it have anything to do with the tens of millions of dollars of federal funds the City received? Because it is now common knowledge that COVID vaccines do not stop COVID, but instead come with dangerous and deadly side-effects, particularly clots in the blood, which is why they are often called clot shots. It has also become increasingly clear that COVID was made in a Chinese STATED MEETING 112 3/23/2023 lab using funds provided by the U.S. government, but did you know that many vaccines are also made by the Chinese? That's according to a Pfizer whistleblower as well as a May 10th, 2021 press release I have in my hand from a Chinese vaccine company. Why would our federal government pay the Chinese to manufacture vaccines to guard against the very disease the Chinese themselves created? And why would our federal government and most other governments around the world then mandate these vaccines for their citizens? By the way, China did not give their citizens the mRNA COVID vaccine. It's time to connect the dots. Last September, City Council formally apologized for coerced medical experimentation on mostly Black prisoners at Holmesburg Prison from the 1950s to the 1970s. That tragic injustice of the past is hauntingly similar to what is STATED MEETING 113 3/23/2023 happening today, except now it's on a global scale. The COVID shots that Philadelphia is coercing people into taking are dangerous and deadly. The Society of Actuaries has reported that deaths went up dramatically after the rollout of the COVID vaccines. Something has gone terribly wrong. City Council needs to do the right thing and end all COVID vaccine mandates now before more deadly damage.
To the Commissioners, you might as well tee up too. (Applause.) (Witnesses approached podium.) SHERIFF BILAL: Good afternoon.
Good afternoon. STATED MEETING 114 3/23/2023 SHERIFF BILAL: Get my partners up here. Good afternoon, Councilman. Sheriff Rochelle Bilal for the City and County of Philadelphia. I just want to thank Council for honoring us in this Women's History Month, because we do work hard in this city. I want to thank my staff for coming here. I didn't know they were going to speak. I do know that I appreciate what y'all said. What we do in this city is more important than what some opinion people can say about us, because we do it anyway. I've been in the City all my life, and what I care about is what the people need in this city. I don't stay in a box as just the Sheriff. I do what I see is needed for the people of the City. And so when you see me out in the community, it's not just about the Sheriff position. It's about what we need here in the City. And STATED MEETING 115 3/23/2023 so whenever I can help out, wherever I can help out, whatever we can do, then I'm there to do. I'm not leaving this city when I get done this job. I'mma stay here and be a pain in somebody else's backside, because that's me. I'mma do what it is when I need to do it. And I thank y'all so much. You don't know. The amount of work that we do, most people don't even see it. Thank you. Appreciate you. (Applause.)
The next speaker is Commissioner Danielle Outlaw. COMMISSIONER OUTLAW: Good afternoon.
Good afternoon. COMMISSIONER OUTLAW: I didn't STATED MEETING 116 3/23/2023 know we were speaking, but I do want to say thank you. I didn't expect my staff to be here as well. I appreciate the support. I also want to thank Evelyn Sample-Oates for your kind remarks as well. I just want to say this very quickly. We tend to get these jobs -- I know what we're standing here, what we represent, and what people see. We're all firsts, but I want to remind people that we tend to get these jobs when things are at their worst. I got an amen corner over here. I know that, right? We get these jobs when things are at their worst, and when they don't turn around right away, folks are real quick to say, see, I told you. We are not going to be successful in these roles without everyone's collaborative effort. I said it on day one and I'mma say it again. I moved across the country because I care STATED MEETING 117 3/23/2023 and I'm passionate about this work, as is everyone in this room, and the sooner we work together, the quicker we will see the results. And the last thing I'mma say is this: It can't be February or March where we continue to recognize the accomplishments of so many people in this city. Our young people have to know that they're on the right path as well, and that's all day every day regardless of what we look like. But we also recognize that women bring a strength to this. We have a different set of interpersonal skills, quite frankly, that maybe some people don't. Grace, strength, compassion, mercy, empathy, understanding, these are not weaknesses. These are strengths. And the sooner we see that, the better off we'll be. So thank you very much for this recognition, and I appreciate everybody's support. STATED MEETING 118 3/23/2023 (Applause.)
Good afternoon, Commissioner. COMMISSIONER CARNEY: Good afternoon, Council President, and thank you, Councilmember Cindy Bass and all Councilmembers that are honoring us. I echo the comments of my sisters, because unbeknownst to the general public, we work closely together behind the scenes, not looking for recognition, standing up on the darkest days. It's not easy with the task and the COVID pandemic and everything that has been thrown at the Police, the Sheriff, and the Prisons. And, yes, things do happen, but this is not for the faint of heart. But we show up every day dedicated, because STATED MEETING 119 3/23/2023 we're public servants. We understand people's lives are in our hands, and we give it 100 percent. And standing up under that scrutiny is because we're committed to this work. We are committed to this work. That means every day there's a challenge, and we stand up and we meet it. And we stand supporting each other, and that's the key here. Understanding that we communicate, picking up the phone, not going e-mail for e-mail, how can I help you, what do you need, I heard that's happening. This is all happening because we're part of that public safety cluster. And it's so easy to finger point, to say, look, they're not doing it. There's no way anyone in this room could have predicted the pandemic and the impact that it would have had. All right? But we show up every day under those circumstance. Yes, we're short of staff, but we're working to draw people back to public safety. STATED MEETING 120 3/23/2023 There's been a lot of negative press about Police, Prisons, Sheriff. We have to change the narrative to attract people back to these very positions that will help keep us safe in the City of Philadelphia. So we have to continue, press forward, and I'm just grateful to stand with these women, because it's not easy. And sometimes you look at us and it says they don't care. No. We don't wear that on our sleeve. We pull them up and we do the task and we meet that challenge, and we're committed to this work. So thank you, and God bless. (Applause.)
Thank you. Thank you for you all. Thank you very much. That concludes our public comment for today. We will now consider the bills and resolutions on the Second Reading and STATED MEETING 121 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Final Passage Calendar. We're going to take a brief four, three-minute recess. Let's do a five-minute recess. (Short recess from 12:30 p.m. to 12:36 p.m.)
Thank you. We are back. Great. Okay. We're going to get started again. Thank you all. And, again, thanks to our fine Commissioners and our Sheriff for their awesome, awesome work and their public service. Thank you. We will now proceed with our Calendar on our bills and resolutions on our Second Reading and Final Passage Calendar. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Resolution No. 230215.
A resolution also naming South 22nd Street, between Market Street and Chestnut Street, "Pat Eiding STATED MEETING 122 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Way", to honor Patrick J. Eiding for his service as President of the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO and his accomplishments on behalf of Philadelphia workers.
Thank you. The Chair recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of 230216. STATED MEETING 123 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
A resolution urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to act on Governor Shapiro's call, in his 2023 budget address, to raise the state's minimum wage to $15 and to deliver a living wage for workers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Thank you. The Chair again recognizes Councilman Johnson.
Thank you, Council President. I just have brief remarks regarding this particular resolution and as we take the final vote today on this resolution supporting Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's call to raise the state's minimum wage from 7.25 per hour to $15 per hour. At this moment, Pennsylvania is one of 20 states nationwide where their minimum wage is no higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, which was set 14 years ago in 2009. Every state STATED MEETING 124 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING that borders Pennsylvania has already raised its minimum wage. Among our neighboring states, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York have already raised the minimum wage above $13 and have plans in place to continue to raise the minimum wage until they reach $15 per hour in the coming years. So my colleagues -- all my colleagues in this room all too well know the impact of the state's antiquated minimum wage on working families. We meet people in Philadelphia who work hard every day, but still live below the federal poverty line. It should be clear that anybody looking at the numbers of the state antiquated minimum wage is holding back working families in Philadelphia and across the Commonwealth. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, two percent of Pennsylvania hourly wage workers were paid at or below the federal minimum wage STATED MEETING 125 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING in 2022 and only 13 percent were paid between $7.25 and $12 per hour. That's nearly one million people in Pennsylvania who made less than $15 per hour last year. The result is that far too many working families in Pennsylvania have trouble making ends meet. When we account for the cost of living, Philadelphia is one of the major cities where it costs -- where it's most difficult for minimum wage workers to make ends meet, and our neighbors across the Commonwealth don't fare much better. The MIT living wage calculator estimates that in Pennsylvania single adults with no children need $16.67 per hour to support themselves. A single adult with one child needs $32.42 per hour. And a household with two working adults and two children needs $23.28 per hour per adult. These numbers should make it clear that the current minimum wage is STATED MEETING 126 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING not a living wage in Philadelphia or any other county in Pennsylvania. For years, democrats in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, including myself, have joined with working families and union leaders to fight for a $15 an hour minimum wage. Now it's time to make it a reality. A $15 per hour minimum wage will help all residents throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania rise out of poverty and towards a brighter future. The late President John F. Kennedy once said, no American is ever made better off by pulling a fellow American down, and every American is made better off whenever any one of us is made better off. A rising tide raises all boats. I want to thank members from Unite Here, SEIU 32BJ, and the Pennsylvania Unemployment Project for supporting this resolution. And at this particular time, STATED MEETING 127 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Council President, I move for the adoption of the resolution, and thank my colleagues for their support. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The motion carries. Resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, 230218.
A resolution renaming the 2800 block of North 22nd Street to "Willie Seward Way", to recognize, honor, and celebrate the life and legacy of Willie Seward for his dedication to the City of Philadelphia.
The STATED MEETING 128 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Chair recognizes Councilwoman Bass.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'm pleased to move for the adoption of this resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)
The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted. Mr. Decker, please read the title of Bill No. 230079.
An ordinance constituting the Twenty-Seventh Supplemental Ordinance to the Restated General Water and Wastewater Revenue Bond Ordinance of 1989, as supplemented; authorizing the Bond Committee to issue or sell one or more series or subseries STATED MEETING 129 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING of tax-exempt or taxable water and wastewater revenue bonds and revenue refunding bonds; authorizing agreements to provide credit enhancement or payment or liquidity sources (or any combination of the foregoing) for such Bonds; providing that such Bonds shall bear interest at fixed or variable rates; determining the sufficiency of pledged Project Revenues; and authorizing the Director of Finance to take actions with regard to the sale of such Bonds.
Thank you. This bill having been read on two different days, the question is now shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. STATED MEETING 130 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. STATED MEETING 131 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 230104.
An ordinance approving the amendment of the Fiscal Year 2023 Capital Budget providing for expenditures for the capital purposes of the Philadelphia Gas Works, including the supplying of funds in connection therewith. STATED MEETING 132 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman STATED MEETING 133 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Johnson.
Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays are STATED MEETING 134 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING zero. A majority of all members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. 230105.
An ordinance authorizing the extension of the program authorized by Bill No. 181043 under which advance approval is given to the Philadelphia Facilities Management Corporation to enter into certain contracts and transactions arising thereunder for the purchase, storage, distribution, transportation and/or transmission of natural and other gas supply on behalf of the Philadelphia Gas Works.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Aye. STATED MEETING 135 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Councilman STATED MEETING 136 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING O'Neill is voting aye. Councilman Phillips.
Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 220914.
An ordinance renaming and designating the property commonly referred to as the Hillside Recreation Center, located at 201 STATED MEETING 137 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Fountain Street, as the "Lonnie Cohen Recreation Center" in the City of Philadelphia.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question now is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilman STATED MEETING 138 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Harrity.
Council President STATED MEETING 139 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Clarke.
Clarke. I'm sorry. Aye. The ayes are 15 -- long session. The ayes are 15; the nays are zero. A majority of all members present having voted in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, 220972.
An ordinance amending an Ordinance (Bill No. 877), approved September 16, 1994, by amending an exhibit thereto, in order to increase the limit of the amount of funding any entity may receive in any fiscal year from the Philadelphia Activities Fund.
This bill having been read on two different days, the question is shall the bill pass finally. Mr. Decker, call the roll.
Councilwoman Bass. STATED MEETING 140 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. STATED MEETING 141 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Aye. The ayes are 15; the nays are zero. A majority of members present voting in the affirmative, the bill passes. Mr. Decker, do you have any additional resolutions?
A resolution honoring Diane Richardson, Angela Smith, STATED MEETING 142 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Nabeehah Parker, Marlene Trice, and Marilyn L. Torres as Heroes of the 9th Council District for their laudable service to the community. Mr. President, Councilman Phillips would like to be recognized on this resolution.
Good afternoon, colleagues. Good afternoon, Council President. Thank you so much. And also good afternoon to the viewing public. And for this particular resolution, good afternoon to all of those who are viewing from the Ninth District. This week I am proud to introduce a resolution honoring Diane Richardson, Angela Smith, Nabeehah Parker, Marlene Trice, and Marilyn Torres as Heroes of the 9th District for their laudable service to the community. This is my second heroes of the STATED MEETING 143 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Ninth District resolution, and what I plan on being an ongoing series of resolutions in this month, I was intentional about honoring servant leaders who are women in our district given that it is Women's History Month. Today I have with me Angela Smith. If we can have Angela Smith please stand. (Applause.)
I want to let you know that, Council President, when I first met Angela Smith, one of the first things she said to me was something centered around are you going to serve, are you going to help us in Olney. And let me tell you something. I took everything that she said to heart. I went home that night and thought about all the things that I can do to be a better representative or whatever I can STATED MEETING 144 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING do to make sure that Olney is one of the best areas represented by our district. But I did that because Angela Smith was a person who let me know all of the issues and concerns that Olney was having, in the upper half of Olney for sure. But also one of the things that I loved about her was that she was already doing a lot of the work to take care of the residents of Olney, from food drives to making sure that Olney residents understood the importance of voting, but also understand the right people that should be in office. But the most important thing that people don't know that Angela did that was really, really great, Sturgis Recreation Center was a shell before Angela Smith. Angela literally made sure that the City of Philadelphia got the funding that was needed in order for Sturgis to be renovated. And I'm so thankful for her, because not only did she do that, recently there was trouble STATED MEETING 145 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING at Sturgis Recreation Center around Saturday operation hours. She made me aware of that, and now because of her advocacy, we have better Saturday operation hours at Sturgis Recreation Center. Her mother should be proud of her for all of the work that she's done for her community. But, most importantly, in memory of her mother, she's had a lot of issues -- a lot of events and programs that address cancer research, cancer awareness and, most importantly, funding for cancer. So I just want to say, Angela, who is a business owner of Knowledge is Learned LLC, but outside of her work, she is a committee person, she's a board member on several organizations, and she's a special events coordinator liaison to communities in the Ninth District. To some, she is well known for her work with Sturgis Playground, but to STATED MEETING 146 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING others, for her work supporting those who are dealing with breast cancer as well as celebrating survivors. So, Angela, I love you and I thank you for all of the work that you've done for our Ninth District. Thank you. (Applause.)
And before I go, I just also want to mention that Ms. Diane Richardson was here today and also Nabeehah Parker. Ms. Diane Richardson is known for being an incredible block leader in our city. Mount Airy is better because of her in the same way that Olney is better because of Angela. Because of the renowned work that Ms. Diane Richardson has done with delivering City resources in Mount Airy as well as food resources, STATED MEETING 147 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING our communities are stronger. Ms. Nabeehah Parker for all of the work that she's done at Building 21 is incredible with our students, making sure that they have internships, making sure that they have college access materials, as well as making sure they have loving and caring support systems at the school. So I just want to say I thank those two women very much so. And Marlene Trice, who could not be here today, I also would like to just quickly say she is a woman who cares about her Mount Airy community. She has run the Kitchen of Love food pantry for 30 years, and it currently operates out of the Dorothy Emanuel Recreation Center. Kitchen of Love has also organized fundraisers, distributed toys, food, and candy for kids in December and has given away turkeys and food at the Thanksgiving time. And then, finally, Marilyn STATED MEETING 148 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING Torres, she's been a resident of the Tookany/Frankford area for a little while, and she works at the Academy of Natural Sciences where she advocates and ensures that the Academy becomes a more inclusive and accessible institution for the citizens of Philadelphia. I'm really thankful for all of her work with the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed partnership, which is a local non-profit in our district. And the last thing I just want to say, all of these women care about our district and they want to literally see our community grow and significantly get better. So I'm just beyond proud and thankful for all their work. And with that being said, Council President, I move for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
Hold on. The Chair recognizes Councilman Thomas. STATED MEETING 149 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING
Good afternoon, Council President, colleagues. I wanted to commend my Council colleague and my Councilmember, Councilmember Phillips. That's an amazing list of women that he's recognizing today, and I commend them all, and I definitely just wanted to take a quick second to say thank you to Angie Smith, who is here today, who I know firsthand does amazing work in our community, in our neighborhood, providing free programming and free resources to people across the City. So I just wanted to thank her for being here, and the flowers that Councilmember Phillips is giving her today, she deserved a long time ago. Thank you, colleagues.
Thank you, Councilman. Thank you. Councilman, make the motion again, please.
With that STATED MEETING 150 3/23/2023 3/23/23 - STATED - 2ND READING being said, I would like to motion for the adoption of the resolution. (Duly seconded.)
It's been moved and properly seconded. All in favor indicate by saying aye. (Aye.)